Joe W. Brown Park, New Orleans 

"Prioritizing Black leisure in a metropolitan community, EJ Hill’s Prospect.5 contribution takes as its focal point Six Flags Jazzland, a major amusement park in New Orleans East that opened in 2000 and was shuttered five years later after Hurricane Katrina. Viewing the park’s closure as the loss of space for Black joy, Hill researched what happened to the now defunct theme park and what plans are in store for its future, as the city redevelops it. Particularly taken by the Big Easy Ferris Wheel, a massive and iconic structure, Hill used a gondola, or enclosed seat, from this ride as the centerpiece of his sculpture installed in New Orleans East, the community most impacted by the park’s closure." —— Prospect.5

Rises in the East is now a permanent installation in Joe W. Brown Park in New Orleans East.

Rises in the East is curated by Diana Nawi & Naima J. Keith.

Produced by Irina Gusin.