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Spotlight Friday, February 21, 1986 ^ Blue Sky's n& ? put a big '5' ii ^ ,rTrl WMhh jFxXT Hl , .jjfljk^ J9 m ? Slim ipHHJH I i A giant '5' would span the space between Harden and Salud r? By ROBYN BENJAMIN Staff writer I When Blue Slrv *??? * "?l? hn. ? ...... -w; ailUUUVTVIIli5 1115 bicycle through Five Points, he dreamed of decorating the streets with art. "I dreamed of putting a work of art on the two islands (in Five Points) to bridge them together," Blue Sky, a Columbia artist, said. A lifetime of art work later, it appears Blue Sky's dream will not be just a childhood fantasy if he receives the necessary funding and meets the city of Columbia's building criteria. Blue Sky has designed a sculpture of a giant ^ numeral five to link the land in front of the shops on m the corner of Harden and Saluda Streets. In Blue Sky's tentative plan, the five is lying on its back with a hump forming an arch over the land. The artwork, which will stand 33 feet high and 55 feet wide, is projected to weigh 70 tons, and will be constructed either from either cement and steel or steel aluminum and plastic. Although the sculpture has received tentative approval from the city of Columbia, Blue Sky must meet a number of the city's stipulations before actual construction of the five can begin. ? "We need to see a copy of the final construction plan signed by an architect and an engineer," said John Spade, Information Director for the city of Columbia. According to Spade, the city asked Blue Sky to produce the final plans three weeks aRO. "He said he'd have the plans to us in two or three days, but we haven't seen them yet," Spade said. , 1 Review 'Superstar' ope a true blessing MARISA PORTO Editor in chief Energetic. That word describes [ Act One Theater's presentation of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. n ' Directed by USC junior Jimmy r Flannery and co-sponsored by USC's ELM Center, the production showcases the cast's acting feHBT jdSSf&L and singing talents. This version of the last seven H^Ngr e days of Jesus' life overwhelms HhH and disappoints at the same time. fRHgl A plague of technical problems is BBHBBly. * the chief flaw of this production, f although the singing voices of the r ' r l cast are less than professional t . \ overall. USC senior David Avin is fl wonderful in the starring role of ?| jf Jesus. His exquisite gentleness and emotive singing add special k'VHHI depth to a character that could part of show. easily have been a passive cliche. Gauch's exprc Avin gives the role added depth strikes a chord \ with his expressions, gestures and dience, and a hus biblical appearance. Indeed, time she begins. Avin is a bright spot in a show Another fine that seems to be overacted and singing voice is underacted at the same time. Brown, who portn Once again Harold Odom br- Simon. He leads ings relief into his role as Judas. crowd scenes with Odom, who starred as Kate in leaves the audieti USC's all-male version of The why it isn't Taming of the Shrew and as Puck throughout the pr< in USC's A Midsummer Night's Other fine perl Dream, is the production's given by Pressley S pivotal character. Odom is Julie Shuster, high energy epitomized, overwhelming in black graduatk the audience with his acting and sunglasses. Both a singing abilities. air of evil and perf But the most impressive singer sidering their strugj in the show is Alison Ann Gauch, on a plastic pipe p who is making her musical handle the situatioi theater debut. Why hasn't her professionalism, talent been used earlier by USC (JSC psychologj productions? Gauch, who por- Youmans gives an ; trays Mary Magdalene, is a fine formance as Pc actress whose singing is a brilliant Despite his bo m<*L's nHHHHBb, VSK , . ?H^||gM|H a streets in Five Points if artist Blue Sky gets his wish In addition to producing plans for the city, Blue Sky must also find a financial supporter to fund the sculptor because he is getting no funding from the city or state. Sky has obtained some funding from the Five Points Merchants Association and is pursuing a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. "The grant is money from government and corporations awarded to outstanding artists working on worthy projects. Out of thousands of applicants, 5 percent attain grants," Blue Sky said. Sky received a grant several years ago for another project. blue Sky, who received a Masters in Art Education from USC in 1970, recently displayed an architectual profile of USC's buildings in McKissick Museum. The artist, who is probably best-remembered for his Columbia mural, "Tunnelvision," just completed a sculpture at the Lexington County Hospital. The work entitled, "Creatures from Halley's Comet," consists of six space robots and a spaceship. The work is located near the maternity ward. "It is painted in pretty colors, the air conditioner was made to look like a spaceship," said Sky. Warren Edward Johnson got inspiration for his second legal name, Blue Sky, after a long period of rain. "Ten years ago I was involved in painting landscapes and one morning 1 went into a grocery store when the sun wasn't out. When I came out I saw the blue sky for the first time in awhile. It was then that I realized how important it is to see the sky and what it means to us." 1 * ra energetic, for students I Youmans handles the role |ssive singing skillfully a n d^em^n^nalj^^ vitmn the au- something this production lacks h occurs each at times. After 16 years in Columbia but neglected theater, Steve Strickland portrays that of Stan the character of Herod with ays the apostle vividness and energy. However, i the singers' this part is slightly disturbing, as 1 a voice that its costuming is so different from ice wondering that of the other characters. The used more feathers and flourish of >duction. Strickland's outfit seem out of "ormances are place among the other characters' iutherland and earthy, simple costuming. priests dressed Even Jesus has only one >n gowns and costume, which should have been ictors have an changed after the whipping orm well, con- scene. Instead, a red-stained gle for balance cloth is added. latform. They Despite this and other distraci with tact and tions, the play merits a viewing. Jesus Christ Superstar will con/ major Brett tinuc until Feb. 22 at the admirable per- auditorium of the Wil Lou Gray ntius Pilate. Opportunity School. For reservayish looks, tions, call 796-7550. in idea would n Five Points Review Townshend's 'White City' worth visitina w By JONN OWENS Staff writer Pete Townshend must be familiar with the thought, "Where do I go from here?" As a young man, Townshend founded The Who, a band whose legend equals that of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and his solo career has been a succession of critically acclaimed albums. He began with Rough Mix, a country-rock collaboration with ex-Face Ronnie Lane, followed by the Who-like crunch of Empty Glass and All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, in 1982, in which Townshend exchanged his angry emotion for subdued poetics. After Chinese Eyes came a successful publishing career at Faber and Faber. Now, four years after his last alhnm Tnujchpn/l w w ?... 9 v/ ?? uuvuu uas released White City, an album that is also a movie. The music is typical Townshend: guitar-driven blues not touched up with piano and horn support. Subtle but definitely present are the synCPU brings 'G( By ED CHAMVU8S Assistant Spotlight tditor For those who remember Gene G? machine, the unknown comic and Carolina Program Union's versii Show" will be in the Russell Hou: p.m. Monday night. Those who consider themselves fu may sign up in the CPU office to t All contestants will competc for pri Among the judges will be Directc fairs Melody Hokansen and Stude President Kelvin Stroble. The event is a presentation of CPl nrii- _ ^ men f< you'll s] Run. Clii And deve skills you Enroll in as one ot ] today. BE FIND OUT / WILL MA "army reserve CONTAC mmmmmm Mik-wit^k sSS JmB I JB8 n ^HHB H '^H UppSH Ptta Townthend's new album, White Cii thesizers and drum machines requisite on any of today's pop albums. Townshend's singing is excellent ? a rebound from the spoken words and safe melodies of Chinese Eyes, lending angry power to otherwise mundane rockers such as "Give Blood" and "Face the Face." Although White City is un3ng Show' to I grams. Other proj elude comedian F ene the dancing Dating Game on Chuck Barris, March 27, a Jailon of "Gong Races on April 1 >e Theater at 8 Spccial Program Denise Moses. inny or talented )e a contestant. Special Prograi zes. Russell House 30 )r of Greek Af- Call 777-7130 . nt Government third floor of Ru on The Gong She J's Special Pro- the door. Admis< - ~^^RL r 4^ ~ ^ 5^^- ?&F ^^nH v cn liuui pendall nh. Rappcl. Navigati :lop the confidence ar won't get from a textl Army ROTC /our electives. Get th ALL YOU CAN BK. \bout summer c/ ke yotj an rotc iti t- r? r- a i I IN i Ht r ALL. \>llLT.RSr TRAIN T CAPTAIN FIX, 77 Ijl STOWNSHEN mm ' Jii' focuscd as a whole, with an antiapartheid song bordering both a weird oedipal viginette and a song about drug abuse, each song has a strong back beat and a definite direction. There is even a theme of sorts, "Give Love and Keep Blood Between Brothers," which crops up on the first side, but inexplicably disappears by the second. Russell House grams planned for this semester inlondell Sheridan on March 3, The March 24, an Easter Egg Hunt on a-thon on April 15, a Day at the 8 and a casino night on April 28. is recently presented comedian ins meets 3 p.m. every Monday in 1. or stop by the CPU office on the issell House for more information >vv. Contestants also may sign up at ?ion is 50 cents. lUllg S week. Lead. id book. e facts \MP THAT JUNIOR 7-6543/2.