An Amorous Moment With Bronze by Chipka
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Description
Sculpture gardens are such an interesting phenomenon to me; they’re not exactly parks, not exactly gardens: they’re a hybrid species—something I’ve only encountered in urban environments. I’m sure that there are sculpture gardens in not-exactly-urban environments, but I have yet to encounter one.
After a month of sweltering heat and strange, work-related obligations (and setbacks) I was able to spend this most recent Saturday with Corey. In keeping with our habit, we wandered around. I felt the urge to photograph people, and so our Chicago-meanders took us through the crowds in Chicago’s downtown area. The expected crowd was not at the Art Institute, and those on their tourist-wanders seemed to be little more than Millennium Park surplus: they came, they saw, they were hungry, and so they were headed—it seemed—for the Bennigans on the corner of Michigan and Adams. They weren’t in an art mood and so the Art Institute was devoid of squatters on the front steps. There were children, however, climbing on one of the lions, much to the vocal chagrin of a robust and operatic museum employee. Her aria of admonishment—complete head-waggling and stern expressions of carnivorous sentiment—drew the attention of wayward tourist parents. The parents in question blushed a rather satisfying red, and yelled at the children to get down, and then vanished (probably ahead of schedule) into the flow of people crossing Michigan Avenue, dragging their kids with them like clouds of debris trapped in an intense gravitational well.
It was an amusing thing to see (and hear,) and I wondered what the mortality rate of tourist children could possibly be in cities inhabited by carnivorous statues.
With the momentary spectacle ended, I made my way into the garden at the northern border of Art Institute property and found myself surrounded by flowers, plants, and—as expected—sculptures. It was quiet. A canopy of arboreal growth provided nice shade. There was precious little Millennium Park spill-off. There were visitors: couples, mostly. There were photographers—two Renderosity photo ninjas—and a few pigeons. The pigeons were surly, the photo-ninjas were silent, and the couples were…well…let’s just say that their actions were a prelude to something biological and easily compared to old-fashioned photograph development: something best performed in the dark.
I was more interested in the sculpture garden than the couples. I was amazed at the flagrantly sexual shape of Henry Moore’s sculpture: Large Interior Form. I wondered if its…distinct implications of…um…female anatomy might have played some role in the presence of amorous couples within easy eye-shot of the form in question. More surprising, and amusing to me (more so than the thought of carnivorous statues eating larval tourists) was the sight of one amorous couple through the…um…female part of Moore’s suggestive sculpture. The Form provided a marvelous bronze frame, and ideal cover from which to capture a high-sneak factor shot. I have numerous captures of the Large Interior Form but this one is my favorite, simply because of the human focus, so unexpectedly glimpsed through the most intimate of its organs…er, I mean features.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’ve had and are continuing to have a great weekend.
Comments (26)
kgb224
Well spotted and captured my friend. This is a perfect composition. Outstanding capture my friend.
MrsRatbag
Oh my, I'm blushing...it really is very suggestive in many ways, and you got the perfect angle on the loving couple! Great shot!
CoreyBlack
Weeeeeellll. Like Prince, I too, have a dirty mind. In addition to your hysterical text, I'm also snickering like an extremely immature former Catholic boy. Okay, that's over and I've regained my precarious adulthood composure. Yeah, even the biggest, most unobservant dunderhead, would notice that this is a flamingly sexual piece of sculpture. Which is actually cool and I'm glad it's there on display, but as I've gotten older my formerly non-existant Inner Prude has suddenly emerged. They say you turn into your parents as you get older and my initial reaction was Good Lord, Martha, COVER THE CHILDREN'S EYES! Yeah, I'm getting weird. Anyway, this is a great, er , imtimate <?i> picture of ah well...
KatesFriend
Subversive, I like it. Don't you just love it when the stars align sort of speak - snicker. The surface texturing and its, well, 'wet look' would confirm your hypothesis as to where Moore was coming from. And don't get me started on Zool; The Gatekeeper of Gozer. I've got a million of these. One wonders how this ever ended up in a public place. Was the Moral Majority at church that day? And I suppose Moore had to work hard to press his point to city officials - oh, God this won't stop. BTW. It is my observation that parents are more of a strange attractor rather than a gravitational well. Sigmund Freud would say that, "there's a paper in this". And don't forget, "sometime a cigar is just a cigar". Yes, I've been drinking. And thank you for letting my mind go nuts for a few mintues. Cheers!
beachzz
blush well, not really, but it just seemed appropriate. i love your story about the kids; reminds me of several situations with my son. he always found ways to climb on things not meant to be climbed on. anyway--this is a sexy piece and seeing the couple thru it , well, there goes MY mind!! great stuff!!
auntietk
I love your picture, and the sculpture is fantastic! It's like ... if that couple does make a baby, this will be its first glimpse of the world, peeking out to see what's going on. Well done!
blinkings
Very nice mate. You have captured the bronze well and it adds interest to see people through the slot!
lick.a.witch
Quentin Crisp - bless his cotton socks - once stated, and I quote "If I were to drag Henry Moore onto this stage, no one in the audience would have any idea who he was. But if I were to drag onto the stage a large stone with a hole in the middle, everyone would immediately say 'It's a Henry Moore!' I actually think that is rather wonderful! A unpenned signature for posterity! Love the image, though I must admit had that been my first view of the world, I'd have clawed my way back in! Having said that, the view you've captured so fantastically, is irony incarnate! Each sculpture - biological and otherwise - is completely in tune! It's the best!! ^=^
durleybeachbum
I did SO enjoy your narrative! Maybe only in America could Moore draw sniggers, or maybe not. Until most people understand that most of us all have the same components there will still be some very seedy attitudes instead of a celebration, like Moore's work, of our fecundity. LOVE the pic, so well seen!! and that sculpture is so strokeable..
jac204
Can't add anything to what has already been said here, but it is a great capture.
Meisiekind
Awesome! Love how you caught the lovers through the opening! Marvelous shot Chip!
helanker
LOL! Sitting here with a pawky grin on my face reading your thoughts, Chip. Sorry, I dont bluch anymore. I have really had fun from this upload. And the shot is awesome :-)
sandra46
wonderful, fascinating image!!! i like the POV and the way you chose the subject! I also laove these sculptures in public places.
Alex_Antonov
Wonderful!
flavia49
very beautiful! great POV!!
Sepiasiren
there's something very--sensual? Sexual about the whole sense--or is that my own dirty mind--lol! Gotta love that Moore for--uhm--stoking those embers a bit...lol Great Capture
myrrhluz
Like Andrea, I think this very strokeable. But smoothly curved and softly glowing bronze does that to me. It's fun to think that this could be sending out suggestive energy even beyond what it does visually to the viewer. As people sit relaxing in the park their thoughts turn to spring (and such). Beautiful capture! I love that you got both the couple and the patterns, smooth texture, and glow of the bronze in clear focus. I'm heading back to San Antonio in an hour, so I best get a move on. I was a bit headachey this trip so I have some major catching up to do on RR.
jmb007
superbe photo!!
jocko500
wonderful shot of love
lucindawind
such an interesting view you have ! wonderful POV and colouring excellent
icerian
Well seen, well done!
MagikUnicorn
GOOD EYE :)
MOSKETON
genial momento.
danapommet
Super POV Chip and catching that young couple through the Ummmmmmm well you know. :>) Excellent narrative to gowith your oasting. Dana
praep
Well seen and great captured.
minos_6
This is one of your most entertaining accounts, and fits perfectly with your surreptitious collar. Also, you managed to capture the full voluptuous curves of the sculpture, and it's polished surfaces almost look wooden rather than copper. The whole thing looks a little inappropriate and irreverent and I love it!