[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.91″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_video _builder_version=”3.15″ src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ni_vszEa6s4″ image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ni_vszEa6s4\/hqdefault.jpg” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.92″ custom_padding=”2px|0px|37.9062px|0px” prev_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|18.9531px|0px” custom_margin=”10px|||” _builder_version=”3.0.92″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”News Story” _builder_version=”3.15″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|”]<\/p>\n
A historic mural on the back of the former Ag First building on Hampton Street in downtown Columbia has been vandalized.<\/p>\n
The mural, aptly titled \u201cTunnelvision,\u201d was painted by Columbia artist Blue Sky, and features a sun at the end of a dark tunnel. Since 1975, the sun was lit by neon lights.<\/p>\n
But Blue Sky recently noticed that something was off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI noticed the sun was not shining. That sun has been shining for 44 years, by the way. Every day, for 44 years. And night,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Now, he\u2019s offering a $500 reward to find whomever is responsible for taking the light away from \u201cTunnelvision.\u201d<\/p>\n
This piece is particularly special to Blue Sky. In 1974, Warren Edward Johnson became Blue Sky, and \u201cTunnelvision\u201d was the first piece of art he completed under the new moniker.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was like I never existed before,\u201d he said. \u00a0The mural, entirely commissioned by the artist himself, is snugly placed between another one of his public masterpieces, \u201cBusted Plug,\u201d which is billed as the \u201cWorld\u2019s Largest Fire Hydrant,\u201d and Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital.<\/p>\n
Sky says that the mural has been a source of hope for hospital patients, many of whom can view the art from their hospital windows.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years, many people have told me how much they\u2019ve enjoyed it, and how it was a symbol of hope for people who were dying and sick and everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The mural used to be on the back of a bank, but the ownership has since changed. \u00a0Now, \u201cTunnelvision\u201d is on the back of Landbank Lofts.<\/p>\n
Tenant Suresh Yarlagadda\u2019s loft is right behind the mural.\u00a0 He says that looking at the mural was a \u201cvery humbling, good way to start the day.\u201d But ever since the sun\u2019s lights were smashed, his mornings have been a little less bright.<\/p>\n
He says that the vandalism is \u201ca hit on the city,\u201d noting that \u201cTunnelvision\u201d is a common tourist attraction, and one of the reasons he signed a lease at Landbank.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t even the first time that the sun on \u201cTunnelvision\u201d has been damaged. Shortly after it was completed, someone threw a brick at the sun.\u00a0 Sky then replaced the cover of the sun with bulletproof acrylic. Now that the light at the end of tunnel has been damaged yet again, he\u2019s demanding answers.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019d love to know who did that.\u00a0 I\u2019d put them in jail,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If you have any information on the vandalism, contact Blue Sky at 803- 318-6867.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 1″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.15″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sun.jpg”]<\/p>\n
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The sun on “Tunnelvision” had been lit by neon lights since 1975.\u00a0 Someone pried the cover of the sun up, and smashed the neon lights from behind.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 2″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.15″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blue-sky.jpg”]<\/p>\n
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Warren Edward Johnson legally changed his name to Blue Sky in 1975, and “Tunnelvision was the first piece of art he completed under his new name.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 3″ _builder_version=”3.15″ src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mural.jpg” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption 3″ _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n
“Tunnelvision” was completed in 1975.<\/p>\n
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