Kafka at the Westin Hotel by Chipka
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Description
It's been a long time since I posted anything to do with that battered postcard of Kafka that I carried around everywhere in Prague. On the day before I returned to Chicago, I thought that maybe I'd put that card away and just save it for a return overseas, but things change, and the presence of Ninja Photographers was enough to bring Kafka out of the mothballs.
As in Prague, Kafka spent a warm Saturday with me, and with the other Renderosity Ninjas. Everyone was exuberant and lively, and Kafka, as is typical of him, remained largely quiet. Oh well...what do you expect? At any rate, I managed a few shots in the lobby of the Westin, where Marilyn and Tara stayed. Everyone gathered for a laughter-filled talk...a continuation of the very talk that started that morning and continued onward and onward. I'm glad that Kafka was a part of it, even if no one spoke German (Kafka never spoke Czech, at least he never wrote in that language) or turned, inexplicably, into giant cockroaches.
As always, thank you for viewing and commenting, and as always, I hope everyone is having a great week.
Comments (20)
MrsRatbag
A strangely comforting sort of inexplicability! Not to mention a tad bit surreal...excellent image, Chip!
Meisiekind
This brought me a comforting smile Chip! (I realize that Denise also said comforting but I think it explains the feeling best.) Wonderful work with loads of emotion! Well done! :)
KatesFriend
Looks like he's enjoying the company even if he's a little silent. I hope someone bought him a drink.
durleybeachbum
Maybe that's what connects you so very much with beetles and their kin..Metamorphosis! This is a perfect image..I love the colouts, the composition, the content...
dhanco
Simple and emotional work, Chip. Love reading your words.
beachzz
Oh gosh, I remember this SO well!! You and Tara sat and set it up--then Kafka got lost. And then he was found--now THAT is a special kind of something. I love everything about this, but most of all, I remember just being THERE.
MrsLubner
a great nastalgic and mood shot. Very comfortable, too.
LovelyPoetess
Nicely composed, makes for an interesting bit of imagining. : )
auntietk
Surreal, indeed! I have seen your Kafka postcard as an altarpiece, as part of your avatar ... even before we met, you and Kafka had captured my imagination. Then to sit and talk at Grant Park ... just the three of us (you, me and Kafka, when everyone else was otherwise engaged) was an amazing experience. I have several photographs of him sitting on the bench between us. Silent, as you say, but SUCH a presence! Now to see this new Kafka image, which was taken when I was sitting right there ... it's like being transported into the plot of a novel. I'm still not sure why he felt he had to stay behind and wander the hotel lobby while we were out to dinner. At first I thought it was because he didn't want pasta ... (but that can't have been it, because when we left the hotel we didn't know where we would eat)... perhaps he just wanted to explore his options, meet new people. I know you would have been sanguine and philosophical had he not returned, knowing nothing lasts forever, but still ... I'm glad he came back.
TwoPynts
Wonderful concept and image, thanks!
CoreyBlack
I know this picture! You've been carrying it around for years now and I think this is what, your third or fourth copy? And through it all, Mr. Kafka has remained silent and brooding as he sends secret creative messeges to you telepathically in hard to understand German...Much like Mr. Vonnegut sends to me in his Hoosier grackle as he stares out from the back cover of "Breakfast of Champions". Franz wins the Intense Stare Contest, however, as Kurt merely looks friendly and somewhat mischevious.The glasses in the photo seem to add a kind of angst ridden ambience to the whole affair as if to say that the proverbial glass is actually TWO glasses and the question of whether they're full or empty is irrelevant to the great horror of it all. Or perhaps I've read "The Penal Colony" too many times and am reading too much into this great moody image. Nice work as always.
Xantipa
Ooo..I love Kafka..
ladyraven23452
never seen you us the photo befor but i think its the best as all your work.
blondeblurr
I can feel the ambience, even as an outsider, looking in... 'Die Verwandlung', des Gregor Samsa, is probably still fresh in Franz's mind, 'cause he looks very concerned at this lavish lifestyle. Another fine adddition for your collection of true moments. BB
elfin14doaks
I remember this, We had just gotten over by where you were seated. He did not have a very verbal effect on our day , but he was part of our wondering gang. Awesome.
bmac62
Although an undergraduate English major...I've never read any Kafka. A terrible admission to have to make:) This is a neat photo. One that has introduced me to him because it has peaked my interest and now I have time to fill some of the potholes on my reading list.
nikolais
I think you've chosen a most appealing ambience for the portrait, Chip! I really like it
anaber
I think that his presence means you felt good and somehow "at home":)) Great ambience!
roxanamirea
oh i love that old pic in there. brings heavy thought and i love how sharp it is @ its current quality of course.
myrrhluz
I'm afraid I also am not familiar with his work. There are a lot of gaps in my knowledge of things. But I was drawn to this image and your writing of it. It is a wonderful feeling when a connection is forged between two people totally separated by time. It is fun to think that as strong as it is, they are somehow both aware of it. The image, which first drew me here, is visually compelling and hints of long conversation and more connections. Very nicely done!