GDG- Re: Atlanta Cyclorama

Thu Apr 3 22:53:13 CDT 2008

Greg,

It was great to finally meet you in person (and to prove to you that there ARE GDGers who understand (and even like) the fact that the War of the Rebellion was not limited to Virginia, Maryland, and Gettysburg, PA.  

The Gettysburg Foundation press release on the details of the Gettysburg Cyclorama restoration is at http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/documents/cyclorama0324.pdf.  It includes this statement: 

>>Following a detailed study of the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting’s history and conservation needs, the first phase of the project began in November 2003. It included cleaning and consolidation (securing loose and flaking paint); removing overpaint, inserts and grime; removing the lining and wax from the canvas back; and dismantling the canvas.
The second phase is taking place in the new 15,000 square foot Cyclorama Gallery in the new Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park.  The 1884 canvas, the majority of which survives, has been stitched to new fabric to recreate the precise size and shape of the original 14 panels. Each section also has been lined and clamped into a curved steel and oak bracket — a cornice — that is attached to the circular metal ring from which it now hangs. Once the 14 panels had been hung,  they were cinched, returning the painting to its intended hyperbolic shape for the first time in more than a century. Then they were stitched together, painstakingly matching thread to thread.
The conservation project also includes recreation of about 14 feet of sky, a canopy and a three-dimensional diorama, all of which have been missing for more than four decades. The diorama will include a full-scale reproduction cannon, as well as a variety of objects donated to the project by Civil War reenactors. 
When the newly conserved Gettysburg Cyclorama painting reopens to visitors September 26, 2008, features of the new experience will include a sound and light show that will bring the painting to life, as well as exhibits on the painting’s history and conservation.<<
In a rather striking coincidence, the man sitting next to me on the plane from Atlanta to Harrisburg noticed that I was reading a Civil War book (Steve Davis's, actually) and mentioned that he was flying to Harrisburg on his way to Gettysburg to work on the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting restoration project.  He is part of a team from Taylor Studios (which, according to the press release, is based in Rantoul, IL) which is responsible for constructing the diorama.  Another member of the team was sitting directly across the aisle from it. He seemed very enthusiastic about working on the project.
Regards,
Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Biggsk at aol.com 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> 
> John Gross writes: 
> 
> >>>>>If I had to GUESS it has lost about 10% in height and length 
> (circumference). 
> 
> 
> 
> It only lost from the top and bottom but not the circumference which is 
> still somewhere over 300 feet. A leaky roof took care of some of the top edge 
> and the bottom edge got chomped by bugs from the real red Georgia dirt they 
> brought in for the diorama portion. Still, it is 40 feet high. 
> 
> I have seen this one in both its incarnations many times over my life. 
> 
> Greg Biggs PS - Paula - thanks for the very kind words! Happy that you 
> enjoyed the tour! 
> 
> 
> 
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