Church Windows (for auntietk) by Chipka
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Description
Upon my return to Chicago, back in 2009, there were a few people who helped me to maintain my sanity; I have to say that Corey was (and is) on top of that list. Ah, but Corey is my best friend. If I had a brother, he’d be Corey, which would also mean that our parents would have a lot of explaining to do.
That’s an odd beginning for a dedication to Tara (auntietk here on Renderosity.) But it makes sense in a way. There are people here who have made a wonderful impact on me as a photographer/writer: people who constantly inspire me, or encourage me—not through overt means, but by simply posting what they post and stirring me to respond somehow: sometimes in the writing of fiction, sometimes in the creation of photography or 2D art. More dedications will be forthcoming in the span of this year, as I’ve decided that 2010 will be a year of dedications for me. It began with Corey, as is fitting, and now, it features Tara.
I’ve always been, and always will be a fan of science fiction. I inhale the stuff. I exhale it too. I love the way in which is defines something intangible in what we call reality. There are those who view science fiction as escapist; I’m not a member of that camp. I view it as confrontational, as illuminating, as philosophical, and I also view it as something that works the way Tara’s mind works. She once stated that when someone crassly denies that she’s “not doing anything” she responds with: “Oh no; on a cellular level, I’m very busy.” That for me is exactly what science fiction is all about: looking at reality in a way that is…well…accurate. And like Tara, I’m inordinately busy on a cellular level…heck when I’m with Victor…oh dear, I’d better not say that!
Um…*blush*…anyway, Tara always manages to provoke and inspire in ways that only science fiction writers (and readers) can manage with me.
I bring this up because through Tara, I have begun to see something in the color green. She’s done a few posts lately that don’t always refer to that particular visual flavor, but somehow greenness is always implied, or at least with me, felt. Green is the most profound color known to humans and it’s been proven that we will go insane in its absence. (Space Station designers have gone so far as to insist that walls be painted that color…and through Science Fiction, the lay-folk among us now know that green (and garish colors) are ideal for life in outer space. They keep us “grounded” and the presence of the color green keeps our minds from going wonky.
I thought of this when I saw pictures of a Church I’d taken upon my return to Chicago. I’d forgotten that I even took that picture. I remember liking it, and finding myself entranced by the green patterns on the colored windows. When I saw it today, I thought of two things: Science Fiction (a rather controversial miniseries called Wild Palms which really didn’t go over well in the UK to the point where it was voted the worst US Export after “Baywatch” and other tele-visual embarrassments.) and a pun based on the recurring motif of that complex, abstract, and ultimately underrated science fictional gem. There was a sitcom called “Church Windows” featured in that show…a kind of show-within-a-show. It was a method of mind control, and it controlled minds through, get this…a cute, funny kid (who also proved to be a psychopath.)
I love Wild Palms. It was a comic in the back of Details magazine, back when Details was a cool magazine. It introduced ME to Wild Palms, and coincided with the run of another of my favorite (and now-vanished magazines, Mondo 2000.) When Wild Palms aired as a miniseries on American television, I was riveted. I love a good melodrama with characters who commit murder in pink rubber gloves. Unfortunately, the show was misunderstood. But because of Tara, I remember (and love) Church windows...of the more realistic sort.
Comments (18)
kgb224
Superb capture and dedication my friend.
MrsRatbag
I can see why this image struck you; it's got everything! Light, colour, geometry, presence...you did well here, and it seems perfect for Tara!
beachzz
Oh yes, this is Tara, on so many levels. You are so right on about her, and the way she sees things and how she inspires us----she's gonna LOVE this!! I sure do!!
helanker
What a lovely dedication to Tara. I like it alot and I am sure Tara will too. When I was about 6 years old my youngest brother was 11 and he was hooked on Science Fictions, So when he was having a cold or other, that made him stay home from school, it was time for us to play science fiction. Oh we were through space with our space ships and we imagined alot of fantastic happenings. I remember it as was it yesterday. SO when I hear about science Fiction, I think about my brother and me playing. What a fun we had. :)
Meisiekind
Apart from this wonderful post and the excellent display of light and shadow in the green tinted windows, you have also nailed the description of Tara's encouragement and inspiration to others! Well done on both accounts Chip!
myrrhluz
Science Fiction was very important to me, growing up. To some extent I was escaping out of a reality where I wasn't especially happy but it was much more than that. I think of escapist writing as being mindless. The mind can go on autopilot in fact it's often better if you turn it off almost entirely. Science Fiction is very mind rich. It makes you work. It brings you up short and makes you go back and reread passages that now have a new meaning. It explores concepts and human behavior deeply and questions where attitudes are taking us. Many of the best writers I've read, wrote Science Fiction. Superb image! The rich reds of the Earth are in the brick and the vibrant green of life in the greens. The gentle arch seems to gather it all in. Beautiful color and detail. I love the quote you gave of Tara's. She is a phenomenal and inspiring artist. Her poetry has moved me deeply and on several occasions reached into my own life and given me guidance on issues I was wrestling with. This is a wonderful dedication, story and image.
Sea_Dog
Your work always amazes me, chip. Although I don't comment on every post I guarantee I spend a lot of time with each. You achieve a wonderful blend of words and images routinely. This is a masterpiece. I've never met Tara but I enjoy her work here. This post has added to my knowledge of her, and you. Well done.
jocko500
this is wonderful looking
MagikUnicorn
E X C E L L E N T ;-)
durleybeachbum
A very interetsing dedication, and another great read. Any chance of you getting that lovely glass from the INSIDE?
mermaid
To me this shot works it's magic through the combination of green and red, an earthy red and a muted green and through the clear structures and forms... A fine dedi for Tara and I bet she will love it! I didn't know green was so essential to the human kind...I should have known better as to me it's not possible to live in a flat without plants and one reason I loved Ireland and Scotland so much when visiting it, were the thousands of different greens depending on the light and wind
bmac62
Wow, really like this shot. Wish I knew enough about stained glass to identify the type...have seen this style for years, but got a name...no. Knowing Tara and glass your dedi is right on. Suggestion: the next time the ninjas meet in Chicago, I've just discovered that there is a large stained glass collection at the Smith Museum at the historic Navy Pier. Here's a link for future reference: Click here
mbz2662
A great dedication for Tara. Once again, I am enthralled with your writing and photo. I so enjoy how your mind works and how you incorporate your photo :)
KatesFriend
I'm sorry to say that I've never heard of Wild Palms. Though if it flopped in the UK it is likely the CBC (our public importer of world television) would never touch it. Never look to Canada's private broadcasters to do the daring things either. I shall have to search out the DVDs. This is a nice tribute to your friend. I shall have to visit her galery sometime soon. I like your remarks about green, I've always wondered about how our personal connections to colours works. And, like Nina, green is my favourite colour. The stained glass in the windows looks so very organic. Some local churches (though sadly not most) reflected a profound reverence to nature, best reflected of coarse in the colour green. Canada is still very much a green place at least half of the year. This sometimes put them at odds with the church establishment who were more pre-occupied with blue - the colour of heaven.
ladyraven23452
I love it and yes green is a colour that seems to calm the mind is i know from house painting. My bath room is green with frogs all over the place i love the little guys. And sicence fiction is onely things that might and have happen in our further.
auntietk
My dear, you could not have chosen a better image for me. I look at this, and am absolutely nailed to the floor. (I'm quite sure the only reason it isn't in my gallery is that nobody took me there to see it. I would have stood there photographing this place until you all screamed at me to stop!) Simply as an image, it speaks to me. Your dedication has made me smile, given me a warm glow that will undoubtedly last all day, and touched me deeply. I am so happy to be your friend, and am honored to be of some inspiration to you. Heaven knows you inspire me often enough, so it's a fair trade! :) It's one of the great joys of my life to have mutually admiring relationships with other artists, and I particularly enjoy the exchange I have with you. On the days when I think I'm the only one, I think of you, and know I have a kindred spirit. Thank you, dear one. This is absolutely beautiful.
csikigyopar
Wonderful imagine!
romanceworks
A lovely dedication and photo. That window reminds me of my adventures in stained glass. The colors and textures were so fascinating and filled me with ideas. I do agree the color green is sanity-saving. In Calif my soul mate and I would seek out blue, in the ocean, for escape and peace. And now, without him, I live in the middle of a forest, surrounded and embraced by green. I've heard green is the color of strength, and perhaps it is the cycles of nature that continue through every season no matter what that keeps me sane.CC