“An unspeakable ceiling of shadows; a depth of obscurity that no diver can fathom; a light mingled with the obscurity, a strange somber vanquished light; brightness reduced to powder.” Victor Hugo’s words, found in his work “The Toilers of the Sea,” inspired alumna Darcie Crager to create “Ceiling of Shadows (La voûte des ombres): A Night of Victor Hugo” to accompany the current exhibit on Hugo’s drawings, “Stones to Stains: The Drawings of Victor Hugo.” The performance art installation, taking place Monday evening at the Hammer Museum, will mix excerpts from Hugo’s novels, poems and speeches with original music, dance and shadow play to provide further context for the continuing art exhibit, highlighting the author’s writing alongside his artwork. Read more...

Photo: Theatrical reading is one of the performance art forms featured in the installation “Ceiling of Shadows (La voûte des ombres): A Night of Victor Hugo,” which will highlight Hugo’s artwork and writing. Alumna Vaneh Assadourian, who will be reading English translations of Hugo’s texts, said she aims to help bring Hugo’s stories to life by working with dancers and musicians. (Niveda Tennety/Daily Bruin)