Brass by Chipka
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
As you walk along Michigan Avenue, when you cross the river things begin to shift. Slightly. Subtly. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Chicago is a city of transitory moods and fickle whims, but steps north of the river, things remain steady. Maybe it’s because this part of the city is ancient—by local reckoning. Maybe it’s because the people and businesses that make daily use of this region know something the rest of the city doesn’t. Well…at least they have money, and that counts for something in this particular neck of the woods. Dollars speak louder than words.
As you walk north along Michigan Avenue and cross the bridge, the city becomes a thing of details. Gothic architecture looms above the streets, casting complex shadows like clock-marks. The facades of the buildings are as interesting as the buildings themselves. You find metal: brass and copper and nothing so crass or crude as the buffed aluminum and steel so common everywhere else. You find clamshells and sphinxes and whole Babylonian funerary carvings—well, faux Babylonian at any rate.
As I walked (yes, north) along Michigan Avenue with Corey on the day after I’d photographed Nathan Hale, I found this detail. I loved the light. I loved the color. I loved the way it didn’t seem a part of the Chicago I recognize. I grabbed only one shot of this detail, and I cannot remember the building that benefits from its presence. But here it is, the remnant of a day not too long ago. I thought of it as a door: perhaps a strange threshold between Chicago and the phantasmagorical cities of Ōmůt or Pekkur. Perhaps the fabled Number 8 Train is the only way to such cities, but for a moment—less than a heart’s beat in time—it seemed as if I could walk through this scalloped and vaguely concave threshold and step into a city inhabited by vermin succubae and “insubstantial” people.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and hopefully you're all having a great weekend.
Comments (24)
blinkings
I think dollars speaking...no yelling....no screaming louder than words is a universal condition...
Sepiasiren
wow--the texture and colors are beautiful
popeslattz
Excellent shot of an amazing edifice. Very nice description of your locale. Almost feel like I've visited Chicago...
Sea_Dog
Amazing blend of words and images - your forte. I feel as if I'm walking with you and Corey. You two are the most amazing urban photographers I've seen for a long time. My time in Chicago can be measured in hours, and those spent wandering around O'hare trying to figure where they moved the United gates to this time. Well done, my friend.
watapki66
Awesome image!
kgb224
Outstanding work my friend.Thank you for taking us all on your travels meeting strange people and stuff.
myrrhluz
This does seem to be an entry into another reality. The 'doorway' area seems to shimmer as if not quite solid. I can remember simple games with reality my sister and I played as children. We walked around the house, with mirrors pointing upwards, pretending the ceiling was the floor and stepping over barriers that weren't there. OK, we were a little strange, but it's fun to imagine the staid old world as something different. I love the color here too. It is rich with a very soft glow. It looks satiny to touch. I love the detail and patterns. You have captured it beautifully. Your words set it into a context, not totally of this world, and fascinating.
helanker
Chip! I see what you mean. The door looks flexible somehow, like it only has a surface not solid, but still looking like brass. One could just walk forward and be sucked into a new Secret city. Such a beautiful shot and i love the story too.
Meisiekind
Your words touch deep and the image is excellent Chip! The slight softness makes this door look like something out of the distant past... Maybe on one of your alien spaceships!!! :)
beachzz
From top to bottom, this door glows--almost seems like a promise of something very special on the other side--beautiful shot!!
durleybeachbum
It gives me an urge to make a niche-filling creature. As ever your words are transporting.
M2A
Superb tones.
minos_6
This photograph has an ethereal quality that is difficult to put into words. It's substantial, and it's insubstantial and I love it!
flavia49
magnificent!!
romanceworks
A wonderful warmth to this and as always your words transport me. CC
sandra46
GREAT BRASS COLOR, ALMOST SHINING... A GREAT DETAIL
MrsRatbag
Lovely patina and feeling to this; well done!
danapommet
That is a lot of brass and a beautiful shot. Dana
auntietk
I think you have to just turn and step forward and trust that the thing works. Perhaps it's an elevator ... it certainly looks like it would take you someplace! I love the niche, the clamshell, the details, the buffed metal surface. Beautiful!
Crabbycabby
Such depth in this otherwise flat shot. Brilliant work.
jascorpio
So beautiful!!
nikolais
your talent also spreads to how wonderfully images merge with words
kasalin
Outstanding work and informations, my friend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
zulaan
Love postwork !