The City... by Chipka
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Description
There comes a point at which the streets in Chicago all look the same. You know exactly what street it is, but you cannot—for the life of you—remember the name of it. Such is the case with this street. It might be Clark, it might be LaSalle, heck it might even be Ham and Cheese on Rye for all I know. At any rate, it’s a street in Chicago, a typical city street on a hot, summer day.
The movie District Nine hadn’t yet hit theaters, but its wonderfully edgy ad campaign began. Not far from this spot, I saw one of those enclosed bus stops with a huge black and white sign with a stenciled alien in the middle of a circle with a slash through it. A sinister declaration stood just beneath the iconic image, declaring: “This bus stop is for Humans only!” I thought the ad was for some stupid, xenophobic video game that would draw the violent computer games crowd, and it wasn’t until months later that I discovered District 9 was an intriguing and super-challenging piece of fake-documentary science fiction covering a range of topics, including racism. The aliens called, rather slanderously, “Prawns” actually resembled woodlice on steroids without armor. They possessed tentacle-fringed mouth parts, and spoke a language full of pops and clicks—most likely a nod to the movie’s South African origins, and the tribal languages spoken among the Black populations there. Needless to say, I took an immediate liking to the aliens; they were cute in a kind of bipedal, shell-less crustacean way. I’m hoping for a sequel in which the alien protagonist returns to Earth and impressively destroys humanity. Oh that won’t happen, but by the end of the movie, you’re cheering for the aliens and hoping that they kill off at least one third of the human population! (there weren’t many sympathetic humans IN the movie, and scarcely any un-sympathetic aliens.) What a switch for a science fiction movie, huh…? We should see more big budget South African films…their special effects come with plots and character development.
Anyway, this image brings back memories of that day: one I’d spent down town with Corey. He had an appointment and I tagged along with my camera and found a few interesting shots, including this one. The whole District 9 angle plays into this because of so many ads in the area. I didn’t capture any of them, but I remember them distinctly. And yes, they were on nearly every corner where one was expected to wait for busses. Some even provided a phone number to call if you witnessed and unlawful alien presence.
What strikes me about all of this is the way in which such ads were strangely “at home” in this part of the city. It is the downtown core of Chicago, the place where all of our business-gods live in their sterile, glass temples. There is a hostile mood to this part of the city: not so much an overt belligerence as a mere, simmering pressure that you feel just above the bridge of your nose, like the embryo of a headache. It spreads between your eyes and you perceive it as a subtle pressure that isn’t really there. It’s a confusing feeling, and I suspect that the movie ads placed so cleverly in the area were all a part of some research team getting a feel for where their ads would be most effective. It’s strange. Fascinating. Disturbing. And it’s something I discovered with Corey, while going through a day that gave birth to many intriguing photos…a few of which have already appeared in my gallery. Some will be popping up in Corey’s too, I suspect.
Comments (20)
myrrhluz
Layer upon layer of buildings that look like they should meet in the far off distance. I checked out the movie's web site and heard an alien's "pops and clicks" It looks worth seeing. Excellent image! I like the boxy shadows in the foreground. Very enjoyable read!
MrsRatbag
It does have a sinister sort of presence; not at all as friendly as your last upload! Some parts of every city I've been in have this feeling, and I think it must be that sterile no-nonsense business district where they have no room for fantasy in their lives...
kgb224
Outstanding picture captured by you my friend.
auntietk
And you, standing out in the middle of the street to get this shot. Excellent! Whatever danger you were in, it was totally worth it. Aliens, huh? :D
claude19
What stands out to me, your writing seems to be some hostility towards any person, unknown places. The contained violence of posters or graffiti, is apparently more subtle than those of films so-called Science Fiction, which serve to convey images xenophobic, with simplistic scenarios. Is this a particular problem in certain areas of Chicago, across America, the Western world? The answer is it in the Swiss vote on the minarets? Although difficult to know ... the fear of others, hatred, does seem clear that if economic conditions of life are frankly degraded. Very impressive photo of Chicago ... where the towers of finance themselves the right to dominate the ordinary street so colossal!
Meisiekind
Hugely impressive image and writing dear Chip! I am intrigued by the comment on high budget South African movies!!! :)
bmac62
Yes, as myrrhluz says, "good read". You brought me right into this scene with you and Corey. I even felt the pressure on the bridge of my nose:) I'm pretty suggestable, don't you think? I haven't seen the movie but will look for it in Netflix or the nearest Blockbuster... You may be more effective than the advertising agency posting signs around Chicago bus stops...who knows?
helanker
A beautiful capture it is...trying to read what you wrote, but I will try later again. My hubby disturbs me all the time, as we have a busy day. LOL !
ladyraven23452
great photo.
gypsyflame
I've been sitting here looking at this photo after reading what you had to say, knowing I have walked that street before when I used to visit my Dad in Chicago...and for the life of me, I can't remember the name of it. We walked so many streets that day while Dad showed us around. I'm not a big fan of large cities, I'm a country girl who enjoys the peace and the morning fresh air.. but cities do have a way of making one feel uneasy or as if something is about to happen. Chicago in its own right is a beautiful city and has a lot to offer if one knows where to go. Great shot Chip and loved the words!
durleybeachbum
Engrossing read! This road looks disturbingly quiet, like a Chirico painting.
jac204
Ok a little detective work. The street seems to line up with the Willis (formerely Sears) tower. That building is on Adams Street and Wacker Drive, but also W. Jackson and S. Franlkin. Wacker has a bend and is apparently wide and two way, so it's not that. S. Franklin turns into Ben Gurion. The two spires run perpendicular to the Chicago River according to a Photo I see. Ben Gurion runs parallel to the river, so I betting on Ben Gurion (Franklin). This was fun, I love trying to figure out stuff like this! Nice picture and narrative, BTW.
kasalin
Outstanding pov, lighting and capture ! Excellent work, dear Chip !!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs Karin:)
faroutsider
As one of the South Africans who survived the invasion, I must warn you that Chicago may well be one the next cities to be colonised. (Those weren't promotional posters, they were warnings....) Superb photograph. Enjoy the city as it is, while it is....
NefariousDrO
This seems to fit so well what you describe of that day. The ground seems tilted, the buildings don't seem to be, the construction crane, the layers of building piling every higher, it all seems to build a tension, subtle and with a certain aggression to it (in the competitive go-get-'em mindset of the business world) that does fit pretty well with how you describe the feel and the movie posters. I find your insights as always to be so fascinating, and regret that I didn't catch that movie when it came out.
MagikUnicorn
Beautiful View
WDCscg
Thanks for sharing this story!
romanceworks
How could there not be a 'hostile mood' here, just look at the size of the humans compared to the size of the steel, concrete and glass monsters. CC
mbz2662
Great shot Chip. I liked "District Nine". My husband, daughter and I went together and I remember being grossed out a bit.. lol ... but you did want the Aliens to "win". And I got mad at the main human character and his selfish stupidity.
tennesseecowgirl
Great capture. Always a wonderful place to visit.