Fake Rotunda comes down
After months of concealing repairs on the southwest deck of the Rotunda, the mammoth, elaborately painted murals finally are coming down.
The idea behind the murals was that someone standing at Old Cabell Hall would not be able to tell the difference between the murals and the actual Rotunda. This technique is known as trompe l'oeil, French for "fooling the eye."
Only two panels of the wall remain. Once those are removed in the weeks before Fall Convocation, they will be stored for use next summer, when construction resumes on the deck quadrant nearest the chapel.
Summer interns from the Architecture School designed and painted the walls.
Third-year student Erin Hannegan, graduate student Katherine Dyll and fourth-year student Katie Marages spent a week designing the mural. Hannegan and Dyll then spent nearly a month painting the sections.
"You often see those in cities around construction sites," said James Murray Howard, curator and architect for the Academical Village. "This is the first we're aware that a trompe l'oeil construction fence has been used here."
Dances with sticks
Garba-Raas will rock the house this Saturday night. For the third consecutive year, the Hindu Student Council will present this traditional Indian stick dance at the Student Activities Building - and students will participate as well.
The folk dance is a two-part celebration of the religious holiday Navarati.
"It's the celebration of Nine Nights in Hindu mythology that's supposed to celebrate the victory of Prince Rama over the demon Ravana," said HSC chapter coordinator Ninad Athale, a third-year College student.
The first part of the dance, Garba, involves dancing in a large group circle using circular steps and hand movements.
Dandia-Raas, the second part of the dance, entails the use of Dandia sticks, which dancers hit together with one another.
For those without prior Garba-Raas experience, the HSC will offer lessons at the beginning of the night.
"It's not at all limited to Indians," Athale said. "It's a very diverse group."
Compiled by Catherine Dunn
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