by Mary-Devon Dupuy

Residents of New Orleans East have a chance to rid themselves of the eyesore that is the flood-ravaged Six Flags theme park, and tonight they get a chance to weigh in on what will replace it. Visible from I-510, the sign at the entrance of this eerie playground still reads, “Closed for Storm,” over six years after the disaster. The musty smell of floodwaters still lingers within the park, and graffiti artists have tagged cryptic messages over all the rides and attractions, adding to the post-apocalyptic feel of the deserted wasteland.

There's lots of art down here, and a ton of it deals with Katrina. Let's just say some pieces are better than others, but everyone's heart is the right place. Then, there is Teddy Smith! This guy delivers! We stumbled upon this gem whereby Smith films the abandoned Six Flags. Aside from being real cool as all abandoned amusement parks are (Asbury Park made Bruce's career,) and having some great post-k moments (the sign still says, "Closed for Storm,"), the piece is artistically stunning.

Watch for yourself!

Nothing says broken dreams and desolation quite like an abandoned amusement park, Canadian mood lords Godspeed You! Black Emporer, really slow tracking shots, and, lest we should forget, the area of New Orleans East near Chef Menteur Highway. All four elements find a confluence of dread in photographer Teddy Smith's video tour of our local abandoned Six Flags. We're sorry we never got a chance to check out whatever ride was associated with the creepily scrawled sign reading, "Welcome 2 Zombieland, Kids." Yet another cultural treasure lost to the flood...