Waiting for Godot in New Orleans

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This final installment of Creative Time's multi-part project by Paul Chan presents a rich collection of primary ephemera, photographs, articles, and essays that document a community-centric process from conception to completion. Organized into eight sections—Remember, Picture, Relate, Organize, Appear, Play, Film, Reflect—the book focuses on the production of Samuel Beckett's classic play, staged over two weekends in New Orleans neighborhoods: the Lower Ninth Ward and Gentilly. This re-imagining of the post-Katrina landscape serves as a backdrop for a narrative about waiting, highlighting the personal and political conditions faced by the residents of New Orleans and evacuees from surrounding areas. In November 2007, Chan presented five performances of Beckett's work in the hurricane-ravaged city, with an audience primarily composed of locals, for whom the play's themes resonated with existential urgency. The Field Guide offers a comprehensive look at Chan's impactful and innovative production, featuring contributions from notable figures such as Alain Badiou, Terry Eagleton, and Susan Sontag, among others. It captures the essence of a transformative artistic endeavor that intertwines community engagement with profound literary exploration.