
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
A free Exhibit Columbus Rock the Block Party and Dance Show drew hundreds downtown Saturday night under the canopy of one of the Miller Prize installations.
InterOculus, at the intersection of Washington and Fourth streets, had its canopy activated for the party glowing for partygoers who enjoyed live performances from dance groups and music and refreshments.
InterOculus, from PAU, described its installation as inspired by influences as diverse as the iconic Pantheon in Rome, local carnival vernacular, ice cream sundaes from Zaharakos, and the wigwams of the Miami and Shawnee peoples, the design creates a visual and physical destination that can help revitalize downtown day and night through the experiences of suspension, illumination, and projection.
The Rock the Block party was presented by Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and the city of Columbus.
The Rock the Block planning and support committee included Alice Johnson (co-chair), Sarla Kalsi (co-chair), Ike DeClue, Kelsey DeClue, Anuja Gupta-Chandra, Annie Johnson, and Laura Miller.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People are silhouetted as they dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Vishaan Chakrabarti, left, Founder and Creative Director of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism | PAU, and Ruchika Modi at PAU, dance during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. InterOculus was designed by PAU.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Richard McCoy, left, executive director of Landmark Columbus, pats Vishaan Chakrabarti, Founder and Creative Director of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism | PAU, on the back during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. Chakrabarti and his studio PAU designed InterOculus.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Felicia Garr dances for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People gather for a Soul Train style dance line for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Confetti falls as people watch a performance by the group Black Excellent for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People shoot confetti cannons for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Nesha Newsome, from left, Jerone Wood and Ebony Ash, with the group Black Excellence, perform for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mhyla Hendrickson, left, and Ebony Ash, with the group Black Excellence, perform for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Nesha Newsome, from left, Alex Odiase and Jerone Wood, with the group Black Excellence, perform for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Alex Odiase, from left, Jerone Wood, Ebony Ash and Nesha Newsome, with the group Black Excellence, perform for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Felicia Garr, left, puts a cape over Jerone Wood as he imitates James Brown during a performance by the group Black Excellence for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Ebony Ash, left, and Nesha Newsome, with the group Black Excellence, perform for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Terri Green Roddie, with the group Black Excellence, sings I Know I’ve Been Changed for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Monja Ninja performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Monja Ninja performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Dance Street Studio performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Dance with Us performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Dance with Us performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Bollywood Beats performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Bollywood Beats performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Bollywood Beats performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Bollywood Beats performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Dance group Bollywood Beats performs for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic RJ Bhangra Academy performs a Punjabi folk dance for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People watch RJ Bhangra Academy perform a Punjabi folk dance for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Shawn Dhaliwal, of RJ Bhangra Academy, performs a Punjabi folk dance for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Harpuneet Cheema, left, and Jaspreet Gadria, of RJ Bhangra Academy, perform a Punjabi folk dance for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People gather for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Richard McCoy, left, executive director of Landmark Columbus, welcomes guests to Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Richard McCoy, left, executive director of Landmark Columbus, welcomes guests to Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Richard McCoy, left, executive director of Landmark Columbus, and Vishaan Chakrabarti, Founder and Creative Director of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism | PAU, arrive via golf cart for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. InterOculus was designed by Chakrabarti and his studio PAU.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People gather for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People gather for Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.




