University of South Carolina Libraries
This Week in USC History Feb. 21, 1990 — USC released a report uncovering six incidents of steroid use among football players between 1983 and 1987. Wednesday, February 21, 2001 ^ Page 7 • • Artist reveals ode to firefighters by Brooke Bryenton The Gamecock “I know what’s under there,” warned Sal Cilella Jr., director of the Columbia Museum of Art. “If you see some big dogs around, head out,” he said. Just as the words left Cilella’s mouth, two fire trucks came screaming down the street. The crowd of more than 300 confused people huddled to make room for the trucks, not re alizing the sirens were part of the show. Moments later, a crane lifted a giant tarp to reveal Columbia’s wackiest fountain to date — a 350-ton, four-story tall silver fire hydrant. The Museum of Art’s Sunday event unveiled Columbia artist Blue Sky’s latest creation at Taylor and Marion streets. AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, which commissioned the project, occupies the city block, now named “Busted Plug Plaza.” The bank, which has been in Columbia since 1916, first hired Sky in 1975 to add some pizzazz to their property. The AgFirst building is the canvas of Sky’s first painting, “Tunnelvision,” and the adjacent building displays “Light at the End of the Tun nel,” which was completed this past year. “This is a landmark. It’s the third and most grand piece of art by Blue Sky on our property,” AgFirst CEO Andy Lowrey said. Many Columbians are quick to admit their appreciation for the unique culture Sky has con tributed to the city. “His presence is felt everywhere,” Mayor ‘It’s gonna take a really big dog to pee on it.* Daniel Bower Fourth-year student Bob Coble said. Though only a handful of USC students at tended the event, those who did loved what they saw. “It makes sense in terms of pop art,” fourth year College of Liberal Arts student Daniel Jones said. “I thought water would be shooting out more profusely, but I can understand why it’s not. I think it’s gonna bring a lot of people downtown and become a landmark.” His roommate, Midlands Tech junior Jerad Dunlap, said, “It has craziness and a chaotic effect.” Dunlap’s father, Charlie, worked on the water and lighting effects of the fountain. Continuing the running joke of the night, USC fourth-year student Daniel Bower said, “It’s gonna take a really big dog to pee on it.” Robert Cole, a fourth-year College of Liberal Arts student, offered some insight on what people would think about the fire hydrant in 20 years. “I think people are gonna wonder why it’s here, but I think it’s beautiful,” he said. Virginia-based installation artist Mark Rogers, who was in town during the event, said, “The scale is really great, given the buildings. It adds so much more character to the space. It’s really witty, and the water is killer. Las Vegas would love this.” The quiet artist and designer, who wore a beard and suede hat, stayed true to his name by adding a solid, sky-blue tie to his earth-toned suit. Sky’s only comments were given early on, before his sculpture was revealed. “I want to dedicate this piece to my deceased father,” he said, saying his father had served as state fire marshal for several years. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotiight@holiiiail.com ^J_I Brooke Bryenton/The Gamecock Columbia artist Blue Sky unveiled his 350-ton, four-story' tall silver fire hydrant on Sunday. The creation is located at Taylor and Marion streets. Indian Cultural Exchange solicits help of USC College Press Exchange Jan. 26’s earthquake was the worst to hit India in half a century. ICE is soliciting the help of the USC community because many Indian students still have family living in India. ■ Assistance would help Indian earthquake victims; donations may be made at the Coker Life Science building by Amanda S i lva The Gamecock USC’s.Indian Cultural Exchange, in association with the Red Cross, is soliciting the help of students, faculty and staff to assist victims of the recent earthquake in India. “The State of Gujarat has recently been ravaged by a violent earthquake, leaving many local residents homeless and in great need of help,” ICE President Ratish Patel said. ICE will be in th% Coker Life Science building Tuesday and Wednesday collecting monetary and clothing donations to be sent to earthquake victims. “Any amount of support is greatly appreciated. There is no such thing as giving too little or too much,” Patel said. Student Government candidate Nithya Bala, a member of ICE, said many Indian students at USC still have relatives in India. “The shock of India’s earthquake was especially felt here in the United States because nearly all Indians living in this country have relatives residing in India. Many students here on USC’s campus have relatives, whether they are immediate family or distant relatives, still in India,” Bala said. Though Bala had no family living in the affected areas, there was uncertainty over whether all her relatives were safe shortly after the earthquake hit. “For a few days following the quake, many people that my family talked to were unsure whether their family members had been affected by the tragedy or not. Luckily, no one in our family was injured in the earthquake. There are, however, other students here at Carolina who were not so fortunate,” Bala said. Reactions to this tragedy and outreach to its victims serve as reminders of the diverse student community at USC, Bala said. “Students are perpetually reminded that we are one community here at Carolina and that we are a di verse body of individuals. The importance of this is heightened right now as Indian students on this campus attempt to raise awareness and aid over this issue,” she said. Donations may be made at the Coker Life Sci ence building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are un able to make a donation on Wednesday or Thursday, contact ICE to make special arrangements. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com African-American Studies offers unique perspective by Kamille Bostick The Gamecock Black History Month is a time of celebration and education, but some believe the history is too rich to be fully covered during the shortest month. The African-American Studies program offered at USC provides students with the resources, instruction and opportunity to expand their knowledge and appreciation of black achievement on a yearlong basis. LaFaith Miller, a third-year College of Science and Mathematics student, has taken one African-American Studies course and is enrolled in another. Miller said the knowledge she gains is “extra-special” because it’s not the standard, general knowledge presented in most courses. “It’s rare ... most of us grow up wAth thp hacir nr mnrA nnmtlar fartQ hilt -- r “I— don’t know all the contributions made by blacks — there’s a lot to be learned,” Miller said. USC boasts one of the strongest African-American Studies programs in the region, combining strong interdisciplinary studies in subjects such as history, anthropology, religion, English and political science to create a complete analysis of black perspectives, culture and history. The program offers 14 distinct courses, many of them cross referenced with courses offered by other departments. The African American Studies Department plans to begin a lecture scries featuring faculty members starting next fall. This year marks the program’s 30th anniversary and its efforts to promote and provide African-American Studies in a variety of disciplines. The program is experiencing the greatest amount of growth in its history of the number of students choosing it as a major. African-American Studies acts as more than just a “filler” branch of learning. It offers what director and “scholar-activist” Dr. Cleveland Sellers calls a “really unique” and complete discussion on the African-American experience. Students like Miller feel they are receiving this. “The things we learn in African American Studies allow us to understand why things are the way they are in America, why certain people have a certain status and feelings about race — [it teaches] very real things that happened and happen that you don’t get to learn about otherwise,” said Miller. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com Clothesline Project lets victims speak out about violence, abuse by Amanda Si lva The Gamecock In recognition of Women’s History Month, USC’s Office for Sexual Health and Violence Prevention is sponsoring an annual display dedicated to women who have been victims of violence and abuse. The Clothesline Project encourages women to paint a T-shirt as a way of expressing feelings about the violence or abuse that they or a loved one has suffered. “The Clothesline Project is a national project started in Massachusetts with the idea of airing your dirty laundry,” said Patricia Phaup, director of the Office for Sexual Health and Violence Prevention. The T-shirts are color-coded to represent the different types of vio lence suffered by women, including I... ., File Photo/The Gamecock The Clothesline Project offers victims of rape, abuse and violence and their families and friends a way of “airing out [their] dirty laundry.” those who have been assaulted, those sexually abused or those who suffer discrimination because of their sexual ori entation. “It provides folks with the opportunity to anonymously express wherever they might be in their healing process,” Phaup said. There are five colors in all — white, for example, represents those who have died as a result of violence. Started in 1995, the Clothesline Project has become an annual tradition at USC and across the United States. While other campuses schedule their projects at different times throughout the year, USC traditionally sponsors the event in time for Women’s History Month, according to Phaup. “It’s a way of empowering women,” she said. The theme of the project is rooted in breaking the silence surrounding relationship violence and sexual abuse and expressing a topic that has been kept quiet, she said. The project will continue into March, with a series of events scheduled for after spring break. An ex-NFL player will give a speech on March 29 about abuse of female ath letes entitled “You Throw Like a Girl.” Before the T-shirts are displayed, women are invited to attend a free self-denfense workshop on March 27. For those wishing to paint a T-shirt, there are three workshops remaining. On Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., women may paint T-shirts in the Columbia Hall or Sims classrooms. On Wednesday, the workshop will be in room 322/326 of the Russell House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All T-shirts will be displayed March 28 on Greene Street. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotiight@hotmaiLcom What’s Happening Wednesday, Feb. 21 Blue Martini: Skipp Pearson and Jazzology Decisions: Muddy Quarters Delaney's: Kenny Floyd (of Shades of Grey) Dianne’s on Devine: Ross Holmes Elbow Room: Hank Williams III Mac’s on Main: The 4th Element Jazz Showcase New Brookland Tavern: Perfect Sleeper, Super'Bike, Will Hoge Road Runners: Open Jam w/Steve Kemp Art Ban NUVIBE Billy G’s: Beach & Boogie Night w/DJ Butch Davidson Crocodile Rocks: Ladies Night Group Therapy: Wild Wild Wednesdays Knock Knock/Flip Side: College Night Tavern on the Greene: Listening Party Thursday, Feb. 22 Art Bar: Motion Rotation (Dancing to the DJs) Delaney's: Harry 0 Donoghue Decisions: Open Mic Night w/Chris Richards Elbow Room: Col. Bruce Hampton and the Code Talkers Mac’s on Main: Gentleman Jack s Blues Jam New Brookland Tavern: Goth Night Crocodile Rocks: Dueling Pianos In The News ■ Walt Disney World to celebrate 100th birthday of founder LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Happy birthday, Whit! Whit Disney World will begin a yearlong celebration marking the 100th anniversary of founder Whit Dis ney’s birth on Oct. 1. “It’s a great milestone, and we certainly love to market milestones around here,” Whit Disney World spokesman Craig Dezem said. Disney was bom on Dec. 5,1901, in Chicago. He died in 1966. Disney isn’t revealing many details of the event, other than saying it will feature “new entertainment and at tractions” throughout the Disney re sort. , Disney-MGM Studios will be the center of the celebration, with a 122 foot-tall hat of Sorcerer Mickey from the animation movie Fantasia, which will stand at the end of Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Chinese The ater. Disney officials said the entertain ment surrounding the celebration will include four new parades and the new attractions will be mostly small-scale rides, such as the previously an nounced Aladdin ride at Magic King dom, set to open this summer. Disney World, which opened in 1971, could have chosen to celebrate its 30th anniversary but selected Dis ney’s birthday instead. “It’s really something special, and it’s only going to come around one time,” Dezem said last week. “This is the resort that bears his name.” ■ ‘Archie Bunker* to get lifetime award for achievement NEW YORK (AP) — Television’s Archie Bunker will receive a Life Achievement Award from The Christopher Awards on Thursday. Carroll O’Connor is being hon ored “for his seminal contributions to the business and spirit of TV comedy and drama for the past 30 years,” the organization said in making the an nouncement. O’Connor, 76, is the sixth person in the 52-history of the Christopher Awards to receive the Life Achieve ment Award. He starred as Archie Bunker in the sitcom All in the Family and was one of the stars of the TV dra ma series In the Heat of the Night. The Christopher Awards annually honor writers, producers, directors and illustrators in publishing, fdm, broad cast television and cable industries whose works “affirm the highest val ues of the human spirit.”