Three Guys Walking by Chipka
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Description
I left Chicago, two years ago, with the intention of never returning. Life called (and still calls) to me from Moscow, though I found myself in Prague for a longer time than was anticipated. Chicago, when I left, was a silently depraved place, and in many ways, that silent depravity has advanced into an even more profound existential rot. I’m still going to Moscow, somehow…my heart is there, as is the other half of the composite creature I hope to become.
There is something different here, now; Marilyn showed it to me. I saw a ballet dancer through her eyes, and he’s as cute as a particular long-haired waiter at a Persian restaurant though he has uglier toes than any gorgeous long-hair who waits tables in a place with good food. (**Insert Resa’s Plug here.**) Ballet dancers are like peacocks…they’re gorgeous and they have ugly feet. Mihail Baryshikov is a perfect example…he’s dazzling, but his toes are a gnarled and knotty amalgam of gristle and muscle and bone with the brute strength of some exotic polycarbon…don’t ask how I know this: it involves physics and ballet—they’re actually the same thing! And if Mihial Baryshnikov is reading this…I’m sorry that I don’t find your toes as Divinely astonishing as the rest of you…but don’t worry…not-so-eye-searingly-divine podial implements are nothing to worry about…and if they were, then there’d at least be a distinct word for them in as sexy and complex a language as Russian…and well…Russian is an incredibly poetic and descriptive language, but it has no distinct word for those things on the ends of your feet.
Anyway, I almost like Chicago now…well…on a good day…because of the Ninja Phototgaphers (not all of whom are photographers.) Cheri showed me a GORGEOUS wasp with an improbably long waist, and also made quiet comments about art and what she becomes when taking pictures, all while looking adorable with that haircut she probably doesn’t even think about. Tara showed me the subway, and vowels, and how to shamelessly giggle and love random moments. Corey showed me how to notice the rigging of sailboats on Lake Michigan…who knew rope could be so cool?! Who would have ever judged Corey as a displaced sailor who knew how to…rig a sail with little more than duct tape, a wad of gum, and a half-eaten tortilla!? (Hmmm…I see a remake of McGuyver here! Honestly, Corey noticed the rigging of little-bitty white sails on little bobbly boats way the heck out in Lake Michigan!) Dave showed me a lot of fragile things regarding family, jokes, devotion to loved ones (all of them) and a caterpillar dressed like Mardi Gras on speed. Mark showed me how to write without words and how to see something gorgeous without the crutch of a camera. Juanita showed me all of those smiles and made astute comments about how to be an artist without claiming a medium. Dave also showed me some kickin’ sunglasses…just so you’ll know.
But as I took this picture…long after the Ninja Photographers dove back into daily life, I saw the Joffery Ballet’s common space, and I remembered a ballet dancer spied in peripheral focus from a bookstore window, and the incredible dignity of that dancer and the photographer, and the moment. I came to understand something that Victor—my inspiration, my Muse, my Love in Moscow—wants me to see, and wants me to love…and I saw it through Marilyn’s eyes. She can actually look at things without looking…Tara does the same; it must be a West Coast specialty. I recognized that when three somewhat potato-shaped tourists walked towards me as I photographed a building at night. And in that moment, I saw Moscow as a home I didn’t expect to claim; and I also realized that Victor’s toes (and everything else) are more graceful and gorgeous than Mihail Baryshikov’s…but don’t ask how I know that, it involves physics and a particular Russian photographer.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting.
Comments (19)
elfin14doaks
It looks as though you have learned much fellow ninja , LOL. I knew for some reason you would never forget the wasp and thanks for the hair comment, you're right I never give it thought. That day spent with you in Chicago, we have learned a lot too. We have learned patience. You have got to be one of the most patient people I know. Your heart belongs else where, but you are waiting and making the best out of what's in front of you. This is a very nice shot. I love the lighting. I have still not mastered the art of night photography, let alone night ninja photography.
blondeblurr
It is amazing, that something so mundane as a Cityscape, comes alive at night when three potato-shaped guys crossing the road ? (perhaps lonely, looking for some action? or perhaps just walking home, after the Pub's/Bar's have closed?, who knows? maybe only their wives or partner's do?) Never-the-less, you are giving it your own brand of humour with this capture! Actually, have just read another book recently by photographer Annie Leibovitz 'At Work'...with a photo of Mikhail Baryshnikov in New York 1989, on page 86, no feet at all...but on page 87, you can see them ! Not too bad at all, if you ask me, but then again, you didn't ! BTW my son (jif3d) does some Sci-Fi Art here @ Rendo, if you are interested or find the time ? you might like his recent addition called: 'Flight of the Andorian's'. Cheers for now BB
Sea_Dog
As always you narrative illuminates your image. And this is a great one. I like the juxtaposition of a world known ballet company and three old friends ambling along in their own world. The lighting and other street activity just added to the power of the image. Well done, chip.
mbz2662
There is something about the night that changes the city. I really enjoyed reading and viewing :)
auntietk
Oh, my friend, you take me back to one of the most memorable weekends of my life. There is a certain feel to Chicago at night that I will never forget, and from which I will probably never recover. I remember sitting in that second-floor coffee shop with Marilyn and Mark when she was taking those pictures of the ballet dancers. I didn't even know it was happening ... I was too busy drawing pictures on a paper napkin for Mark ... explaining some thing or another ... and reading what you've written, I realize that the most profound artistic moments are so often totally ordinary on the surface. There should have been some audible signal that something great had happened, but of course that isn't the way it works. I, too, experienced each of our group in wonderful and profound ways, both as a group and as jewel moments in time ... out of time ... in one-on-one connections. There is a scene in my head, you and I sitting on a bench in Grant Park taking photographs of a postcard, and the whole world disappeared. It was just us two (and Kafka) as the entire world distilled into that moment. If I told someone else about it, they would not understand how profound something like that can be. And those three days were filled with moments like that. If I came back to Chicago on my own, didn't see anyone from that group, I would not find those moments again. They were contained in our relationships and cradled by the city ... the city did not create them. But Chicago will remain in my mind forever as a place of great love and beauty. So I leave you with the residue of that weekend, and with my blessing ... "Eat at Reza's" :)
beachzz
Oh yes--Reza's, and I love that you and both thought that waiter was CUTE. I love how you got this shot. I knew the moment I saw it where it was and it took me back to that moment. Every part of that trip was like that, all of us in the same places, seeing different things. The beauty of art, seen in SO many ways. As Tara said so well, if we went back, the time would be so different. But, no matter, it happened, and it was as good as it gets/
KatesFriend
I had no idea about the ballet dancers but thinking about what they do for most of their lives it should not come as a surprise. What a wonderful tribute to your friends. There must be a wonderful creative energy when you are all together. The photo is wonderful. I love how the almost laser sharpness of the white and blue ballet sign contrast with the soft blurs of the sodium light on the old stone buildings. Someday, as solid state lights become the norm, artist may mourn the loss of the rarefied gas lights and that rather unique shade of yellow and the kind of world it created at night.
bimm3d
wonderful!!!!!!!!
Meisiekind
Oh Chip - you have me all teary eyed now and it is just 6:25am here in South Africa! What a wonderful and deeply touching narrative and wonderful image to go with it! Well done my multi talented friend! :)
durleybeachbum
Description,recollection,affection,....poetry. Thankyou for sharing it!
buzzsaw55
it could be any city, but you caught the emotion of the moment perfectly. a great ninja capture!
jif3d
Larry, Curly & Moe Ninja-style, very kool night capture, but I guess they have more than just gnarly toes, a different kind of ballet ! Sounds like you have some great friends and I hope you get to go to Russia soon ! Well done & ~Cheers~
ladyraven23452
you are truely a artest and i would bet a goog freand to all who know you. have a blessed day ladyraven.
romanceworks
A photo full of life and light. The right people can make any city warm and memorable, even the windy city. Your encounter with everyone sounds incredibly stimulating and loving and what great words about all, and even the toes of Baryshikov, wrapped in your prose, are perfect. CC
jendellas
Fantastic night picture, so good.
helanker
It is a really excellent capture with alot of mood and I like the story very much too.
wysiwig
A great night shot. It really sparks the imagination. Something about the night that the day does not have. A sense of possibility, of something about to happen. Who are these guys? Where are they going? What other stories are out there in the dark? Excellent work.
roxanamirea
hmm...funny thing how u started talking about chicago..my experience was really short let's say while i was there.. i 'stumbled' on your gallery due to your comment on my image.. i see all this chicago array of images and it brings back old memories..not all of them good i must say.. i do know that after i left chicago very abruptly i decided about where my life was heading...it was heading towards a lot of wonton travel and it did..i decided i will end up somewhere in ny ..and i did... chicago...however..holds a very bitter but decisive value in my life. thanks for reminding me of ..the past. i mean that in a good way.
myrrhluz
I love your night shots! These three men are so "normal" that they set the mind to thinking about all of the normal people out in the world, who are particular to themselves. Each one a rare individual unlike anyone else. And each, as your story richly points out, with a unique way of seeing and responding to the world. Wonderful narrative! Really makes me think...and get behind in my comments. :~)