The Murals' concept

The ceiling mural is based on a 16th century illustration of the Copernican view of the Solar System. This was a revolutionary break from the prevailing ideas of the time that saw the Earth as the center of the universe. Here the Earth orbits the Sun along with the other planets. For many this idea was heresy and was condemned by the powers that be.

Parallels can perhaps be drawn between this and the revolutionary changes that have taken place in the 20th century. The most recent being the development of Internet communication and the speed of development in the sciences in general.

For this reason we saw it as an appropriate metaphor to use as the focal point of the Internet cafe mural.

The side wall shows a view of a sunken temple. A reminder that even great civilizations come and go and that nothing is permanent.

Today many commentators believe the Internet to be the beginning of an even more profound change in human society than that of the Industrial Revolution - only time will tell.

   

Keith Ross & Michael Kerrigan

After a day spent marking out a grid system onto the ceiling, I begin drawing in the face of the sun.

Using a paper template of the Earth. Stasia maps the continents onto the arched ceiling.

Its thirsty work . At the height of summer the heat inside the cafe soars.

A large amount of paper templates were needed for the ceiling.

Painting the Lunar cycles.

The side wall is a view of a sunken temple.

The Earth orbits the Sun. Each position of the Earth representing the four seasons.

Temple ruins lead the way up to the Internet balcony.

Detail from the finished ceiling mural.

Mural painted by Scottish artists Keith Ross and Stasia Rice. July - August 1997.

You can contact Keith Ross by e-mail at: keith@criticalart.com