The Paper Company and the Scissors by Chipka
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Description
Baltar’s Dream.
***
Without a doubt, music plays an important role in my life; it informs nearly everything that I do. It is a part of everything that I feel. I think in terms of music—not often, but enough to notice. It is no surprise, then, that music would come to identify what happens when I place an image in the context of what I’ve experienced, or what I hope to accomplish.
Without a doubt, rivers are strangely musical places. Throughout history, humans have written river songs. I thought of this as I walked along Cermak Street and found myself crossing the Chicago River. Though tourists may recognize the small, exceptionally photographic stretch of this sluggish and muddy waterway, there are other stretches: turgid, murky regions where strange and surly fish might swim, where ducks and geese make their nests.
As you travel south, or west, along the river’s numerous curves, you become aware of variations—subtle shifts in theme and temperament. I’ve always noticed this on an instinctive level, as I crossed and re-crossed bridges. And today, as I listened to music, I found an accidental connection—a single composition that strikes at the heart of what it is to know the Chicago River with it’s backwards course and strange meanders through obscure neighborhoods.
There is a hollow and haunting quality to Chicago. It is a city of ghosts, after all. It is an inconstant city: like a hollow gourd in the wind, blowing wherever caprice takes it: money is its only anchor, and so it never wanders far from its money-making roots. As you wander along the banks of the river, or find a zipper-line of bridges crossing it, re-crossing, and crossing again, other elements of the city emerge. Remnants of industry crumble and rust along its banks—barge moorings and other ossified tethers mark places where once goods flowed inward and southward from areas as far as Africa or the European continent, or where metals flowed outward. Now, such places are home to ducks and sparrows and bright-eyed, industrious rats. But if you follow the river from south to north, or from northwest to southeast, you sense something. It is a quiet thing: a whispered presence that becomes louder and more demanding as you reach the downtown core of the city—that place where giants stand with skin of glass and skeletons of metal. The mood of the city changes as well: shifting, ever so slightly from dreams to a loud and giddy pursuit of distraction.
I took this picture two weeks ago. I wanted to capture the railroad bridges in the distance. One stands raised, as hit has for decades. I don’t remember ever seeing it down and crossing the slow waters beneath. I doubt that it is abandoned. Chicago isn’t a city to let so much metal go to waste, but for as long as I can remember I’ve never seen it lowered. How odd, since its companion continues to span the river. I’ve always called these bridges “the Scissors.” And though I’ve seen them for decades, this is the first image I’ve ever captured of them.
The music (linked at the top of this post) has nothing to do with the Chicago River or its bridges, but by the quirk of random fate, it captures what I’ve always felt upon seeing these bridges (always from afar) or what I suspect I’d feel if I took a boat-driven journey along the river itself...from the southern headwaters, to the tower-clogged region where lake and river kiss, but do not intermingle.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, commenting (and in this case even listening) and I hope that this is the start of a great week for anyone in need of a great week.
Comments (33)
Markal
Yeah...I like it...its me :)
Sea_Dog
Well done. You've captured so well the mystery and murkiness of the river and it's relationship to the city.
jocko500
did a onderful job on your great city.
MrsRatbag
It is a uniquely Chip-esque vision of Chicago; and an oddly dreamy vision it is (in a good way)! Very well done!
dashboard_jehovah
Outstanding image and post work! Love the Big windy city....just hate driving in it. Congrats from a neighbor. Funny how we Hoosiers and Chicagoans have pet names for drivers from from either state...We call you "FIPS"...f***ing Illinois People" because of your erratic and dangerous driving. You call us "DIPS...Dumb-ass Indiana People" for our slow going, laid back style of driving.
auntietk
I love your name for these bridges. They really do look like scissors! I can hear them snap shut, suddenly, in the middle of the night. They would re-open slowly, like an alligator's jaws, and you would never be sure that was what you heard, the next morning.
Daz1971
Outstanding work, both the image and the words that accompany it! I love this so much. And you're right, they do look like scissors!
zulaan
I love the atmospheres of your pictures. I think they have the same light as those on the planets of the thirteen tribes. Beautiful !
beachzz
I love the Chicago River---it seems like it should be huge and raging and here it is, just meandering its way thru the town. This bridge that never goes down intrigues me as well. I wonder what happens when everyone is asleep--does it go down then?? Your fotos lately have this otherwordly look to it, and this one is no exception!!
Meisiekind
Most amazing image Chip! The postwork adds to the magic as well as the ghostly qualities of your wonderful city! The POV is perfect capturing the 'scissors' in the foreground! Well done indeed!
minos_6
This really looks like a forgotten corner of Chicago, with the metropolis looming in the background. This is an inspired capture with beautiful colours, brought to life and context with your words (and music!) as always.
whaleman
I see the paper and scissors, perhaps the span is held up by a large rock near the fulcrum! Interesting music, it reminds me of Sara Brightman's Gothica which opens Fleurs du Mal. Together they are 5.5 minutes. You can hear it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B65CFK8YNuE Sorry, I don't seem to be able to make this a hot link.
durleybeachbum
SUPERB pic! and a rivetting read, as ever.
helanker
That is indeed a fabulous shot. AWESOME and amazing words too..... Yeah, amazing.
jmb007
magnifique photo!!
Sepiasiren
Scissors--an apt name for this portrait--love the postwork--the misty quality you apply to your images often times is often what gives it that provocative edge--thanks for sharing this with us!
flavia49
fantastic colors!! magic image and words!
thecytron
Most Xcellent photo manipulation! AmaZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzing atmosphere!
MrsLubner
When I was young, Cleveland looked much like this to me. Since, it has fallen to disrepair and many of the great industries and corporate businesses that ran on Lake Erie have closed, moved and been torn down. I'm not sure I can be so excited about seeing the skyline and river view of Cleveland without the power - replaced with tourist attractions and restaurants... But here is a town that continues with the hustle and bustle and the business of business. Great shot and wonderful postwork.
bmac62
What a good read Chip. You probably recall my series of images taken from the Sears Tower's 99th floor last June. I got the big, shiny, no-dust exterior of the city but you always take me with you on walks through alley ways and along river banks and under the El...where few tourists venture. Your photo takes me to the side of "the scissors" where I've never been. Your postwork sets the towered part of the city further apart from the places I've never been but giving me a whole new look at your hometown. Thanks!
marybelgium
fantastique !
mbz2662
I very much enjoyed the music while reading and viewing your photo! Great work Chip. ...and on a lighter note, wouldn't it have been cool to have some kind of rock with the paper company and scissor bridge..lol.
sandra46
SUPERB IMAGE, FASCINATING WORK! it reminds me of the Canadian multinational Domtar paper plant over the Hudson River, near Cornwall, Ont. and Massena NY on the other side of the border. unfortunately it closed two years ago, and many lost their jobs.
EBSPhotographic
Fantastic shot; composed perfectly and titled very well.
watapki66
Excellent!
soepie17
I'm not the type to go out and comment mostly, surely not on a whole gallery, too much to do, way too much images to create, and way too much exploring of this world we live in to do. I did some reading though, and it comes to me that you're pretty conscious and have the will and the nerve to spread this awareness. Something I really appreciate! Now your gallery is impressive, I love the way you play with light, and that's also why I chose this image to do some writing to you. In this one the play is superb, from utterly dark under the bushes of the left bank, to utterly bright in the sky and water meanwhile passing every possible nuance in the spectrum. Also I really love the use of these natural colors, it makes the city come alive... P.S. did you notice you signed up just one day before me?
njb2000
Great looking shot of this bridge and the city I have just done a flyover with Google Earth and was impressed with the models of this area I liked the next railway bridge up river with the cab on top that moves up between the two towers. Excellent Shot and lovey script!
kgb224
Wonderful find and capture my friend.
Danny_G
Excellent work here
jac204
Music affects me in associating places and songs, but probably in different ways. Sometimes a song will be on the radio or play repeatedly while visiting a city. I was crossing a bridge in Montreal at night and a cyclist was pedaling along on the sidewalk. About that time Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" was playing seemingly to rhythm of the bicyclist pedaling, and that time and song got etched forever in my mind. Forgive me, I know this is silly. Anyway, great picture and narrative to go along with it.