Cyclorama = cycling mural + diorama

Thug lyfe.

When Wm was in town, we went to several Atlanta attractions.  The weirdest by far was the Cyclorama.  The Atlanta Cyclorama is a 10,000 lb painting of Sherman's Battle of Atlanta.  Painted in the late 19th century, the Cyclorama was one of many grand-scale paintings that toured the country, though it is one of the few remaining today.  Measuring 42 feet by 358 feet, the Cyclorama is considered the largest painting in the world.

Back of the building housing the Cyclorama.  Believe me, its pretty big.

Today it is situated in Atlanta's Grant Park.  The Cyclorama is on a rotating dais which moves slowly around an audience while a recorded narrator speaks.  The narration is punctuated by spotlights to highlight figures on the painting.

photo from Cyclorama website

Forgive the blurry cellphone picture (photography wasn't allowed - shh don't tell!).  I tried to capture the moment an eagle soaring in the painting was highlighted and named (I've since forgotten the eagle's name).


And less I forget, the diorama.

Photo from Cyclorama website

Photo from Cyclorama website.

As legend goes, the actors from Gone with the Wind [I'm not linking this one on principle.  If you aren't already familiar with the film, don't expect me to educate you (because "frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!").  Go to your nearest struggling video store, get a copy, and set aside a good 4 1/2 to 5 hours for viewing.] visited the Cyclorama shortly after it was installed in Atlanta.  Clark Gable, cheeky fellow that he was, remarked after viewing it that it'd be much improved if he were in it.

Well, they obliged.

Clark Gable, KIA.

Atlanta folks, if you haven't already seen the Cyclorama, take the nearest opportunity to check it out.  It is historic, kitsch, nostalgic, and totally bizarre.  A must-see!