Editor’s note: Multimedia artist Claire Bangser started a new portrait-based story project that marries image and text. NOLAbeings is inspired by the Humans of NY project, and comes from the belief that we can all learn from each others’ stories. Primarily featured on Instagram (and tumblr), Claire meets people in coffee shops, grocery stores, living rooms, sidewalks, and learns something about each individual through a snapshot conversation and image. The first week saw 26 posts (and counting), so we here at NolaVie decided, after discovering and falling in love with the project, to feature ’roundups’ of these NOLAbeings. Here are five pieces that represent a cross-section of what this series documents on a continual basis.
“I used to own a company. And I had to part ways with my co-owners and what not. During that, my brother led me back to music. That was the greatest gift I’ve received. He took me into his home full of instruments and we lived there for a very reasonable price.” “What made you pick up the trombone?” “It made me dance. And I want to make people dance, you know?”
“It’s always amazing to feel the baby for the first time. And it’s always amazing to see your belly getting bigger. And even if it’s the 4th or the 16th it never gets old. This one’s a girl and I have three boys so I am a little more tired, a little more nauseous. But they always say the girls take everything out of you and that’s what makes them so special, so we’ll see when she comes out!”