Kafka and Beetle by Chipka
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Description
Night fell. It was a warm day. I’d worked, as expected, and found time—before the weekend—to make use of an internet café and the online services rendered there. Of course, Quest Internet Services is a non-smoking facility, and so for a traditional infusion of nicotine, I had to step outside.
Prague remains strong in my heart and in my mind, and so it’s not surprising to look back and realize that I’d carried that old, worn post card of Franz Kafka to the internet café. I had it on the night that I took this picture. It was on that night that I also found a rather quiet and well-mannered stag beetle. It was an intriguing creature: black and armored, with wonderful, yellow undergarments showing through the armor. I took and posted other pictures of this creature, and in looking back into my files I saw this one. I remember attempting to make connections between the beetle and Kafka’s image. It is—perhaps—not surprising to see that I’ve read The Metamorphosis and tend to think of the character Gregor Samsa, whenever I see enormous beetles. In the original tale, young Mr. Samsa was inexplicably transformed into an enormous vermin.
I’ve sense named this beetle Clark Nova, after a character in a William S. Burroughs novel. Burroughs and Kafka are opposites in terms of literary styles and concerns, but they are connected in my mind. I like this connection, and the fact that it is a tangible and visible thing in terms of this image. I hope you like it as much as I liked taking it.
Comments (26)
KatesFriend
I believe I remember the shots of this particular beetle, I thought of him (or her) as an old warrior with his stout, weather beaten but reliable amour. He is a rather impressive little guy.
Hubba1
Tooo Cool :) You really did it up this time !
JuliSonne
Total class admission!!!! Excellent!!!
bmac62
The famous Kafka postcard! I've thought of it ever since you mentioned it hiding on you one evening during the visit of our West Coast friends:) Now, the beetle connection is new. A most interesting visual connection.
auntietk
Nobody else could have taken this photograph. It had to be you. Of course they COULD ... nothing would prevent them ... nothing but the fact that you are the only person I know who could have imagined this to begin with. But when I saw the thumb, I didn't need to look to see who had taken the shot. You make me miss that Saturday ...
bimm3d
great photo!!!
beachzz
Kafka keeps coming back to you--I remember the night he got lost-and then was found. Some things keep coming back to us, just so we can use them and introduce them to beetles, woodlice, tables, glasses and other objects and people.
claude19
It is not uncommon in our mind, is closely related to our pantheon of people's lifestyles or different ... I think c NCLUDES the feeling you have for your country, your city for Prague ... myself stuck in a stupid war, I felt for two years the call of my origins, even stronger than our young life was often called risk. Your illustration looks like a fervent tribute to one of your globally known writers, whose name in France, is often pronounced adjectives to express an inextricable situation. Thank you.
flora-crassella
a really great picture!!!!
helanker
This is such a strong image and.. well I like it alot in the sepia tones..almost and a little grunge and it all fits so beautifully, somehow. The beetle indeed adds to it.
faroutsider
Which one is Kafka...? :o) Brilliant shot!
durleybeachbum
Excellent! That short story is one of my most favourite ever, and has much meaning at the moment as I attempt to understand how Darren feels.
tamburro
Wowwww!!! Fantastic composition and history!!! Hugs:)
MrsRatbag
Definitely a Chip shot; and a wonderful one it is too!
mermaid
yep, a very special Chip shot.. and in my mind a very fitting combination too not only the combination between the beetle and the slightly crumpled Kafka picture but also in the combination a mood, which fits Kafka very well, if not to say imho just on the point...smile
ladyraven23452
Ijust love this one great work.
Meisiekind
Your creativity is unsurpassed! What a wonderful combination of items to form this great piece of art! Stellar work Chip! :)
blondeblurr
I was wondering, when Franz K. would surface again ? Here we are, such a pity...he died so young, but he left an amazing legacy for us and therefore will hardly be forgotten. Same goes for William S.B. with 'Naked Lunch', another one of my favourites are Hermann Hesse's 'Siddhartha' or Thomas Mann's 'Der Zauberberg' (The Magic Mountain)... There is so much to read and to digest, help ! I'm in need of several more lifetimes, to cover it all, spooky thought ! Cheers BB
kgb224
Outstanding capture my friend.
mariogiannecchini
Fantastic composition and history!!!
myrrhluz
I enjoyed the narrative tremendously. The image fascinates me. It tugs on a memory that I can't quite retrieve. I like the composition very much. The placement and angle of Kafka, the emptiness under the lower left part of the visible postcard, and the beetle, who is positioned perfectly. Those eyes of Kafka seem to bare down into ones soul. Fascinating image!
nikolais
and again your talents show through!
timeship
Well done!
Alfaomega
Imaginative! I have read many Kafka's works.
csikigyopar
Interesant copozition. Fantastic composition and history!!!
knupps
Mix of Kafka and Burroughs, hehe....great photographic work.