In Chinatown by Chipka
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Description
Spring is a strange note of ambiguity this year. Daily temperatures—though warm, by wintry standards—are cool and moist. The need for indoor heating remains, as night-time temperatures dip uncomfortably. Rain, when it comes is tepid at its warmest, and though rain—this year—is an irregular occurrence, it comes in torrents with thunder when the mood strikes. Each day seems cloudy at its start, and fog has become a common, muted presence. There are days of sunlight. Many. But they seem rare and often held between parenthetical brackets of low-hanging, rolling clouds.
In search of signs of spring, it has become wise—I think—to visit Chicago’s Chinatown: an area that maintains color even in the grayest, most dingy days of winter. In search of signs of Spring, Corey and I found our way to Chinatown last weekend. On the day of our visit, the sky was a sullen and unctuous thing; the light, what little reached the surface of the earth, was anemic and pale. Only at sunset did Spring dare assert itself. Subtly.
For a short time, last Saturday, there was color. There was light. It was a Cantonese thing, painted onto signs, and flashing from storefront neon. Where the rest of the city seemed as drab and appealing as a scruff-rat’s belly, Chinatown glared in the colors of firecrackers and neon, pomegranates, lobsters in restaurant tanks, and garish ceramic teapots. We went to Chinatown for lunch at our favorite Communist-throwback restaurant, and were greeted by tourists and a Spanish-speaking family in the depths of a quiet but lively birthday celebration. The color that we sought, surrounded us and seemed to follow as—sated—we left the restaurant. We wandered and found the tombs of apocryphal kings and saw a vertical lift bridge actually lift. We walked across other bridges, and as sunset flared far to the west in the day’s only display of real light, we headed north (where I spent the night) and enjoyed a local café on the following Sunday.
***
Chinatown wasn’t my photographic focus last Saturday. I was in something of a brooding, industrial mood, but this is one of the shots I captured on 22nd Street, in my search for color. As is my custom, I walked with my camera ready, and at random points in my ambulatory journey, turned and snapped quick,, thoughtless pictures. This is the best of them, as I managed to capture a random pedestrian. If he noticed me at all, he gave no indication, and as I reviewed my photos during the following week, I saw colors and textures that seemed so incredibly absent for so long a period of time this year. In order to enjoy them more, I indulged my desire for digital fiddling, and this image is the end result.
There is sun, today, for a little while--at least! And so I'm on my way out to see what I can see.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're having a great weekend.
Comments (25)
kgb224
Outstanding capture my friend.
myrrhluz
Wonderful colors and contrasts, made more wonderful by your words which have colors and contrasts of their own. This is an excellent capture and postwork on buildings bedecked by exuberant decorations. It not only captures that exuberance but also the defiance with which it challenges the dull greyness around it. I love the narrow framing of the image. A slice of abandonment. Your turn and snap method works superbly, as you captured the perfect contrast to the mad activity of Chinatown. Somber, eyes hooded and face expressionless, he seems in a world far distant then the color and light around him. I love your digital fiddling. With your words and eye it combines to make a trip to your gallery an unadulterated pleasure! Happy wandering! I look forward seeing what you find!
Bothellite
Hi mister! It's me - over here. Still can't get his attention. Your Spring is amazing and similar and where the heck is it -- really? I'm doing a traditional Spring rites dance (that I invented yesterday). Very enjoyable piece.
KatesFriend
The Chinese believe that bright colours (especially red) brings good luck and attracts wealth - though not necessarily always the wealth of money. In Toronto it is the same, even the most drab and sleet riddle winter's day (and believe me Canada knows drab winters) the signed and shops of Chinatown are fastidiously clean, colourful and bright. Your work here brings out that spirit and sets the Chinese establishment spiritually apart from the rest of the city on this gray day. Even the bricks seem to radiate more colour here than elsewhere.
gonedigital
Great random image. I like the contrast between the asian writing in the background and the non-asian pedestrian in the front. He seems like a tourist. I think that every major city has a Chinatown. There is one near me in SF and it is always a delight to visit. We seem to be having the same weather as you are having out here on the west coast. Strange... Have a wonderful weekend my friend. xxo
jarmila
Cool picture :-) interestng texture,ciao
beachzz
As I scrolled down, seeing your foto unfold little by little, I was at first taken by the colors and details. Then the man appeared, unexpected and perfectly at home. City life, you never know what you'll see. Another great one, Chip!!
Meisiekind
I'm rather rushed as I'm off to Cape Town but I cannot let the opportunity slip by to comment on this wonderful image Chip! I love the textured wall and all the vivid colors popping! The man does look right at home! A wonderful shot of everyday life in the city!
ragouc
Cool shot and work.
durleybeachbum
I was immediately struck by the feeling I know the boy, which, of course, I cannot ! Even after reading your great narrative and looking again and again, the feeling doesn't leave..so strange how humans have doppelgangers eveywhere!
helanker
That is a really awesome shot and I like the postwork too. Warm colors and it gives aspecial mood, the postwork. I like it and I like the story too.
Sepiasiren
your work is just mystical and magical--always terrific
jmb007
bonne photo!!
watapki66
Wonderful shot!
MrsRatbag
I love the sense of otherwordly-ness in this shot!
popeslattz
Nice fiddling. Patience, summer will be here before you know. I think it's right around that corner...
auntietk
Wonderful slice-of-life shot. I must try your method of turn and snap. Excellent result!
mermaid
you know, I fell like walking right beside you though chinatown seeing this shot, a very well done allday life shot
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE! SUPERB CAPTURE! I ALWAYS LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE YOU CAN CONVEY IN YOUR SHOTS. RHIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY MOODY, WITH THE SHOPS LOOKING EMPTY, THE GAUDY SIGNS AND THE STRANGE GUY WITH EMPTY EYES COMING ALONG.
ShadowsNTime
Outstanding work! Seattle's Chinatown comes to mind...I don't think they have one where I live now but I loved Chinatown in Seattle until it became to dangerous to go there...still I recall the beautiful colors, the hustle and bustle, sounds and smells. I understand your search for color, its been pretty drab here until the last few days but now everything is bursting with color and scents, tho not so much in my neighborhood. I wonder if perhaps the man is an alien, lol! I just watched a movie where the aliens had eyes dark and foreboding. The man seems somewhat untouched by his surroundings...great narrative!
CoreyBlack
Chinatown is always photo worthy, but the post work adds that little something extra that the extreme overcast was obscuring. Cute boy seems either preoccupied or perhaps he's an android on a fact finding mission trying too hard to be low-key. This picture makes me hungry for that great chinese food at Seven Treasures and long walks over to ancient virtical lift bridges. Great shot.
flavia49
wonderful image!! love the mood and the narrative! the stranded guy is fascinating. the postowork is magical!
jocko500
if you eat ask for the menu that the China people use it diff that what they show the U.S. people. food is better too. very good shot
icerian
You are stressing in your special way the momentan mood, how you feel it. And this is precious. 5+
lucindawind
great shot and beautiful post work !