The Newcomer

By cws

September 15, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Ironically I was there yesterday along with my wife for a visit to the zoo. We both commented that we had seen it as children. There was nothing to indicate the cyclorama was open and during the day we did not see one person go in. There needs to be a promotional campaign.

By jazzie

September 15, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

I have seen it and I enjoyed it.I forget about it though and therefore don’t use it to show visitors, etc. Maybe I’ll remember it next time. It’s worth keeping and restoring.

By JohnnyReb

September 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

The Cyclorama is one of the best attractions in the state (by far). Thanks to the (Marxist spawned) “PC mentality”, it doesn’t get the positive press or advertising hype that it deserves. Just like the “toning down” of the Stone Mountain laser show, the lefties have try to downplay our wonderful Southern (& Confederate) heritage. The love hyping the Aquarium & World of Coke, etc. but try to bury a great attraction like the Cyclorama.

By David S.

September 15, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

On my very first visit to Atlanta I visited the Cyclorama. It just also happened to be the 125th anniversary of the battle of Atlanta (what a coincidence). What a wonderful piece of work the painting is. The concept of a rotating seating area, the spot lighting, and the realistic figures that blend seamlessly into the painting make this a one of a kind masterpiece.

My wife an I have taken numerous visitors to the “event” and all have been impressed. It would be nice if the museum spent more time presenting the truth about the war of northern agression and the real causes behind it, but what do you expect - the same government that invaded the south continues to “approve” the official history that everyone has to read.

For those who visit the city, those who now live among the battlefield landmarks and those who appreciate history, our wonderful Cyclorama should not be missed.

We should not worry that we don’t draw as many visitors as Gettysburg. We should definitely not waste a few million dollars in an attempt to make the area any more pretentious - we cannot afford it.

Face it, everyone learns about Gettysburg and few if any care about the battle of Atlanta. Additionally, Gettysburg benefits from being in the northeast, where historica attractions are a dime a dozen. In a short drive from Williamsburg you can see Bull Run, Mannassas, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Richmond, and a host of others. While Kennesaw and the Southern Tennesee sites are nice, they have a tough time attracting folks from around the country.

We should be proud of what we have preserved and remember that it is more important to remember the lessons of the war than worry about how many come to see a painting of it.

By Out of Towner

September 15, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

I escorted a group of 4-Hers from the State Congress in July. These are among the best and brightest of GA high schoolers. They thought the painting itself was great but were bored to tears by the museum. I can remember the old displays which were funky and bizarre. The “new” museum is too generic and not Atlanta-specific. Bring the outside exhibits up to par. Surely there are more artifacts and personal accounts from the battle that could be included. That said, it is a must-see for all Georgians.

By Move!

September 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

It’s cool, but right it’s always been a one time visit attraction.

Move it by the aquarium, and put some people in charge that can bring in cool rotating exhibitions. Make it vibrant. And move it downtown now!

By CDW

September 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The Cyclorama is one of my favorite attractions in Atlanta - I’m a native and have introduced several visitors. I especially like the rotating seating for the show. Frankly, I pretty much bypass the museum part outside of the actual Cyclorama show.

I checked, and the Cyclorama is not part of the CityPass, which is a discount ticket to Atlanta attractions. It includes the Zoo, so why not the Cyclorama, which is right there?

By Chuck

September 15, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

For anyone who cares what happened before the moment they were born (an esoteric minority, I know), the Cyclorama provides a singular opportunity to appreciate what went on in your own backyard… literally for intowners. Tens of thousands died along what is now Marta’s east line, Gen. Sherman oversaw the burning of Atlanta from the hill that the Carter Center is now perched upon.

Seeing as it’s just one of only two surviving examples of paintings-in-the-round, it really needs to be preserved… in spite of our readiness to abandon the past.

By kvp

September 15, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

I love the Cyclorama - It’s sort of old-timey and a different kind of historical entertainment than you can find elsewhere in the city. I bring visitors here a lot (I’m a native), and I recommend it to people as well. (The New York Times listed the Cyclorama as a stop in it’s 36 Hours in Atlanta article a year or two ago.) I agree, the museum is pretty weak, but the attraction is worth the relatively low price of admission. I have always liked the location because it’s a lovely, cool respite from the heat at the zoo and in the park. I’m not sure where you could move it, but I like it where it is.

By FunnyGirlGa

September 15, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

I have fond childhood memories of visiting the Cyclorama, but I was very disappointed in a recent visit I made with out-of-town guests. Most of the interactive displays uin the museum were inoperative. Lights didn’t work, there were missing knobs and toggle switches. Overhead lights were out, making the museum display area almost dingy looking. The information on the walls was hard to read as a result. It was a bit embarrassing too, as my guests have traveled all over the United States visiting national and regional parks and museums indigenous to the respective areas and enjoy these types of sites. The actual painting was wonderful and everything I remembered, but the “whole package” does little to invite a return visit for me, and certainly gives me pause in taking future guests there. Atlanta is a wonderful city to visit, especially for people who enjoy rich historical settings. I hope that a strong preservation, restoration and enhancement program can be forged to make the Cyclorama an exciting place to visit.

By FunnyGirlGa

September 15, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

I have fond childhood memories of visiting the Cyclorama, but I was very disappointed in a recent visit I made with out-of-town guests. Most of the interactive displays uin the museum were inoperative. Lights didn’t work, there were missing knobs and toggle switches. Overhead lights were out, making the museum display area almost dingy looking. The information on the walls was hard to read as a result. It was a bit embarrassing too, as my guests have traveled all over the United States visiting national and regional parks and museums indigenous to the respective areas and enjoy these types of sites. The actual painting was wonderful and everything I remembered, but the “whole package” does little to invite a return visit for me, and certainly gives me pause in taking future guests there. Atlanta is a wonderful city to visit, especially for people who enjoy rich historical settings. I hope that a strong preservation, restoration and enhancement program can be forged to make the Cyclorama an exciting place to visit.

By She's right

September 15, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

FunnyGirlGa is 100% right. The painting si still cool, but everything else is dated and just sucks. The painting deserves a nicer home and nicer, rotating exhibits. Would love to see if downtown near the Coke museum.

By David Olin

September 15, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

The AJC, September 11 article on the future of the Atlanta Cyclorama characterized past approaches to conservation as “wrongheaded” and/or the “road to Hell.” Nothing could be further from the truth. In point of fact, Gustav Berger’s approach reflected the limitations under which he had to work. Indeed, Berger did begin to understand the intricacies of the cyclorama painting - the techniques and methodology to most properly address them were not yet fully available and he was leery to implement that which had not yet been tested.

Fortunately for the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting, they are now proven and they have been implemented. I led the conservation team in Gettysburg and have done a detailed examination of the Atlanta painting, which revealed both structural and aesthetic characteristics that are inconsistent with ideal preservation and presentation goals. Like any painting, uniformity in tension, stabilization of the paint layer and preserving the artists’ original, visual intent should be basic premises for any conservation effort. I believe that any initiative toward the painting, especially with increased visitation, should also include a plan to stabilize and preserve this “other” icon of American history.

Having spent the last eight years studying the physical characteristics and conservation of cycloramas worldwide, I can assure you that we can be proud of the two we have here in the United States. Visitation aside, both are excellent and equally important examples of a somewhat lost but culturally important, historic phenomena. They are also large and difficult to care for and their physical requirements can be complicated to understand. They are each unique and each one is deserving of proper care — care based on a full understanding of their unique needs.

By bobk

September 16, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

If the Cyclorama was moved to Centennial Park it would experience a big increase in tourist visits. It would also add a unique historical element to the downtown area and go a long way to establishing an “Atlanta experience” downtown that we now lack.

By Dawn

September 16, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

I just visited the Cyclorama, with my daughter’s 5th grade class, last week. As an artist, myself, I was awed by the painting and in wonderment of what it must have taken these painters to have accomplished such a task. However, I was disappointed with the figures that weren’t part of the painting. They were ancient and in great need of refurbishing. I must also say that I was embarassed by the ‘guide’ that was leading our group. She was all but illiterate. No wonder southerners are stereotyped as such. I think some sprucing up and some jazzy promoting would prove beneficial to the venue and the city of Atlanta, itself.

By Joe Johnston

September 16, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

You can thank the City of Atlanta and its continued mismanagement of public funds and assets, one of which is the Cyclorama. This gem needs to be saved and preserved for several more generations to enjoy. The time is NOW ! Atlanta has done a horrendous job of preserving its history. It needs to remain in Grant Park. Mayor Franklin needs to promote it !

By Keith Lauer

October 9, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

“Battle Scars”

In Bo Emerson’s article dated 9/14/08, it advocates that it’s time to restore and move the Atlanta Cyclorama from its current location. This conclusion was based on opinions that the Cyclorama is in poor condition, is a bad design and in a poor location.

Since Gustav Berger’s state of the art restoration in 1979, the painting has remained very stable over the last 25 years. Since that restoration, conservator Tom Ferguson has maintained the painting through a rigorous program of inspections, monitoring and cleaning. He ensures this unique and beautiful depiction of history is always at its best.

Ferguson maps and reports on every inch of the “Battle of Atlanta.” The building’s temperature and humidity are also closely monitored to minimize stress on the painting. These inspections have identified two or three small (3” x 3”) areas of paint flaking, but the sky is not falling as reported in Bo’s article.

Being an enterprise operation, the Cyclorama operates off its own revenues. Like any business, balancing revenues with labor, maintenance, marketing and utility costs, while competing with some of the country’s finest attractions, is a challenge. Tickets are affordably priced to enable visitors to enjoy a piece of history at minimal cost. The Cyclorama offers an excellent bookstore and gift shop and is also the venue for historical re-enactments.

After 115 years in beautiful Grant Park and millions of visitors later, the Atlanta Cyclorama is one of the finest attractions in Atlanta, if not in America. It’s time for folks to come back and see for themselves.

Keith Lauer