View From the Labyrinth by Chipka
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Description
We know Icarus from accounts inscribed in the body of ancient Green mythology; we know how his father, Daedalus, was a master craftsman, commissioned by King Minos to build a complex labyrinth in which to keep his prized half-human, half-bovine pet. We know that Daedalus and Icarus, his son, completed construction of the Labyrinth but were refused freedom to leave after its completion.
We know that Daedlus—being a master craftsman—fashioned two pairs of wings from wax and feathers. He’d intended one pair for himself, and one for his son. With these wings, they were to make their escape. We know that they were successful: at least partially. Icaurs, due to youth and unbridled curiosity, ignored his father’s warnings not to fly too close to the sun, not to fly too close to the sea. And we know, that in flying too close to the sun, Icarus plunged to his death as the waxen structure of his wings melted.
There are those who may say that this ancient and familiar story is a warning against unbridled curiosity; and on the surface, this is the case. Throughout the ages, we’ve found ways to temper curiosity, to discourage it. Though we don’t refer to Icarus directly, we warn our young ones away from examining things too closely. Curiosity kills the cat we say, seldom thinking that perhaps it’s preferable to die smart than live stupid.
As I think of Icarus, and by association Deadalus, and the paranoid King Minos, I wonder if there are other warnings embedded in the structure of this myth. What if the story is not a warning against flight (and flights of fancy or curiosity) at all, but rather a warning against constructing labyrinths?
Chicago’s downtown core, like the Labyrinth of Minos, is a dark and murky place, where light is often a shadowy, indistinct thing. Sunlight seldom reaches the street; if it does, it topples as broken reflection from windows and from shards of metal. Those who find reason to occupy this portion of the city are aware of what paths to take, what destinations lie at the ends of various twists and turns, but they know little of daylight, of cloudless skies with a big bright thing moving through it from east to west.
If you were to fashion wings from wax and feathers, and give them to downtown Chicagoans, would their exuberance at discovering open sky kill them? I think so, and I blame labyrinths for that. Ah…but a maze serves a purpose, and Chicago’s downtown maze is vital to the economic function of this city: but I wonder, with the monster towers and tangled streets, what creature does this maze imprison? For those who make their livelihoods is so shadowy and complex a place, what simple pleasures are they consistently denied? How does their seldom-sight of the sun, of freedom, and openness define the very structure of what may ultimately become their demise?
I wonder.
***
I took this picture a few weeks ago. As is my custom, I was going to visit Corey and spend the weekend, taking pictures, watching DVDs, and generally hanging out. As I waited for a train downtown, I found myself struck by the pervasive sense of enclosure that I felt. This feeling was heightened by the sight of rain falling on a transparent awning hanging over the public transport platform on which I stood. If I felt it so harshly, then what must the people who work in that area on a day-to-day basis feel? Do they feel anything at all…and if so, how like mythic Icarus must they be, living their lives (at least parts of them) in the service of something that cares little for human frailties and needs?
I wonder.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope that you're having a great week.
Comments (23)
beachzz
urban canyons here lost souls wandering around seeking light to live
KatesFriend
Your story brings to mind the movie Brazil and its hero Sam with his fanciful dreams of flying much like Icarus. Though Sam's wings were not of wax, he was constantly trying to free himself and those he loved from a dark, Byzantine world whose bureaucracy functioned like an oppressive, inescapable labyrinth. Director Terry Gilliam used dark, imposing, block-like buildings that towered into the sky (rather a lot like the one in your image) to manifest this urban jungle.
Madbat
The Marketing and Management Minotaurs forbid civic flying in any case. Get back in yer shackles! (Note, I said YOU get back in your shackles heehee, I'm taking orf haahaahaa)
minos_6
Your writing here is fascinating. Having a personal interest in King Minos and the legends that surround him, I was curious to see where you were going, and the lines you draw between ancient myth and the modern world are compelling. The picture captures the grimier side of Chicago, and the POV and rain illustrate your point perfectly! Thanks for the Dave Allen quote by the way! British comedians indeed!
durleybeachbum
As a phototropic being I feel quite uneasy just looking at your PHOTO, never mind being in such a place in person. I enjoyed your musings very much, very thought-provoking. I have to have natural LIGHT!
whaleman
I really like the distortions caused by the rain on the glass, they are like waves on the glass, with a symmetry only defined by...numbers. Ha!
helanker
It looks a little like prison and so very hopeless too. Fantastic mood. And the fact, that I just stood on my knees and elbows to catch a Lizard, made such a big contrast to it LOL ! I like your thoughts about the myths :-)
romanceworks
Fascinating photo and thought-provoking dialogue. I feel very trapped in a city like this, never seeing the sky or feeling the sunshine. After I graduated from college, I worked as the director of display for a major underground mall in Los Angeles, three levels deep. Giant business towers sat on top of it all, and beneath, a city of mole people. It was an interesting experience, and I remember many of my displays would incorporate nature into them ... birds, trees, plants, even giant clouds and suns hanging over products. I suppose it was my way of bringing a bit of sanity into all that underground merchandising madness, of trying to escape. Now I live in the middle of a forest, on top of a mountain, where the views of sky and sunshine go on forever. And the only monoliths are the towering pine trees. Dwarfed and shadowed by giant buildings made me feel insignificant and insecure. Dwarfed by giant trees makes me feel a part of something bigger. CC
Meisiekind
It gives me the feeling of imprisonment... the deprivation of freedom... not being able to breathe!!! So well seen and captured Chip! The POV and the raindrops are perfect to add to the distortion of humanity! Wonderful work dear friend!
thecytron
Awesome photo!
MrsLubner
intriguing view.
gonedigital
Great photo! I love the distortion of the image by the rain. I understand what you are saying with your story because big cities give me a serious case of claustrophobia. I would much rather live in the woods... Beautiful!
kgb224
Yeah lets leave this concrete jungle. Superb capture my friend.
MrsRatbag
What a wonderful image, with all its permutations...your musings also brought the film "Brazil" to my mind, as well as the old tale of Icarus. Lots to ponder here!
jmb007
superbe photo!!
Bothellite
Interesting thing about humans and slavery. One who is born to the environment may or may not be able to willfully escape - imprisoned by mostly mere fear. We've all known something of that. Not everyone can do it like Carol did. Is there 'wrong' in the big city? Only in the mind perhaps. Thought provoking piece!
sandra46
"it’s preferable to die smart than live stupid" YES I'M A BELIEVER IN THIS FAITH! and i think this is a sublime shot, with the criscrossing of the metallic structure, the wavy image of the building caused by both the rain and the building facade. A hint of Blade Runner during the day, with a touch of The Asphalt Jungle: perfection at work.
jocko500
it got you there? Lol anyway this is wonderful looing. Wonder if man did flyback then. read of others myths of fight of man?
flavia49
wonderful! what is a cage for some, for others it may be the security and tranquility.
CoreyBlack
I love this, it's so Chicago! The kind of scene I loved when I first moved here 5 million years ago. I still like the rugged masculinity of the way this place looks, but my general enthusiasm for the City That Works ( Your Nerves ), has long since entered the realm of a passionless marriage that has gone on too long. You have captured an essential vibe of the city here and the way the weather is frequently capricious even when it should be nice. About the hive dwellers who inhabit the canyons of industry, your description reminded me of a scene from Northern Exposure, where the general store owner is having a conversation with her employee Ed. She sings the praises of her artist off-spring and all the great things he's accomplished. Ed asks her about her other son, and her face curls into a scowl. She then says with great distain, "Oh, he's an investment banker in Chicago." That about sums it up. great moody shot.
Alex_Antonov
Remarkable work!
auntietk
A fascinating thought, my friend. I think people who live and work in the city (no matter which one) get used to it. They see things in a different way from people who live elsewhere. We're all like frogs in water, you know. As the heat gets turned up, we barely notice our discomfort. Love the photograph, btw!
marybelgium
wonderful !