Navigational Reference by Chipka
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Description
As a child, I learned how to distinguish directions in Chicago by looking at what was once known as the Sears Tower. Okay, I still call that big dark thing the Sears Tower…I have no idea who this Willis guy is, and how much he paid to get a building named after him, and since he didn’t pay to have it built, he didn’t pay to change my name for it. And so, there we have it…my fundamental navigational reference (the tallest thing in this photo) is something I recognize only by its now-apocryphal name.
I remember learning which direction was which, simply by looking at that big, dark shape looming somewhere on the horizon. Did it have a tall shaft with a smaller, Siamese-twin connected to the right side? If so, then I was south. Did the smaller Siamese-twin appendage jut out to the left? If so, then I was up north. Was it somewhat ziggurat shaped, with a tall central tower apparently stuck on the roof of a smaller structure? If so, then I was west, looking east. And finally: was I in a boat? Was I in Indiana, looking slightly across the lake at a roughly 45-degree angle? Well, if that was the case, then I was either in the company of fish, or not even in Illinois, all together.
When I think of cities, I think of such things as navigational references, and whether or not the city in question can be compared to a body part. Aside from the big, looming navigational marker, Chicago is also conveniently shaped a bit like your hand palm-open and with the fingers touching. The Sears Tower would be at the base of the longest finger, and your position relative to that spot is readily apparent…you’re either south, near the wrist, north near the fingertips, or northeast, where the lake fills that space left by the shortness of your thumb.
I have yet to find a body part that resembles Prague. Correction, I have yet to find a polite body part that resembles Prague. Pavl, in all of his eccentric glory, defined Prague as a nipple with a rather oblate, and uneven aureole surrounding it. Prague Castle was…well…you get the point. In short, I think that when I return to Prague, as I most definitely will, I’ll have to find a body part that can be revealed in public. Having said that, Chicago is an immanently polite city, and improvised maps of it can be read, or looked at in public without the need for at least partial disrobing.
Having said that, I can’t look at this picture without thinking: Hmm…I’m facing east; the west side of the city surrounds me from this POV. I actually can’t see if this is a good picture or not, but I can definitely say that it’s an…um…easterly photograph. And so there you have it.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re at the verge of a great weekend. Well…as of this posting, there’s still a bit of a day left before the advent of Saturday...but you get the point.
Comments (20)
PaisleyRose
I think it's a fantastic shot, no matter which direction it is, nor what the name of that tall structure happens to be. It seems like a terrific form of navigation to me, so at least you will have an idea of your position.
danapommet
It sure is and the Prudential Center, in Boston, does the same thing. Nice shot and nice depth. Dana
jocko500
very cool shot
MrsRatbag
Here, of course, it's the Space Needle...fantastic shot!
RodS
Wow - what a beautiful, clear photo, Chip! You've made Chicago look her best in this one, my friend! Excellent!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
auntietk
I didn't learn to navigate by the Sears Tower while I was there ... the Hancock was my beacon, since our hotel was right across the street! However, I have vivid memories of the palm of your right hand facing toward me, left forefinger pointing out our location on the "map." I probably couldn't find my way around Chicago without thinking about your hand! LOL! Your reference of the Sears Tower is excellent. Now that I know, I can tell you're somewhere just ABOVE I-90! This is similar to a shot I took coming in from O'Hare. I'm oriented!!
Crabbycabby
Wonderful shot.
helanker
It is a beautiful cityscape you have captured here. I like it alot, but I liked your story about it too.
durleybeachbum
An extremely interesting read!! The school I taught at was called Martin Kemp-Welch, after a former mayor of the town. Two other schools were also named after men, who like Kemp-Welch, were major benefactors of the town. For no reason an incoming headteacher, not even born in our county, never mind town, changed to name to Community College, in a stroke eliminating a century of social history regarding the district. The beautiful and valuable Poole Pottery letters that titled the building were hacked off and binned too. Staff and pupils there now neither know nor care about the man who was so important.
lick.a.witch
I have no sense of direction. Nada. Hence, I get totally lost many times. In my defence, the only tall things where I live are trees, so I do have a small excuse. ^=^ The Eden Project wanted to put up an exceptionally tall wind generator, which I suppose might have help my directional abilities, but I am so very pleased to say we stopped them! I'd rather stay lost frankly. ^=^ I like this a lot. Although a country yokel, I do rather admire city skylines. Fabulous shot Chip. ^=^
psxjeff
Very Nice Shot Indeed, Great Work.
flavia49
fabulous cityscape!
beachzz
I never thought of using body parts to find my way around a city. It would be rather strange (and possibly illegal) to go up and ask someone to point the way to the, well, embarrassing anatomical part to get where I wanted to go. It could also be a LOT of fun and maybe a way to meet some very interesting people. I"m going to file this away for future use!!
sandra46
SUPERLATIVE COMPOSITION! WONDERFUL IMAGE!
Orinoor
It's curious how differently we orient ourselves. It had never occurred to me to compare the shape of a city to a body part, but of course, now I'm already thinking along those very lines. In my part of the world it is mountains, valleys and rivers that are the primary navigation points, with landmark buildings and bridges for the more immediate areas. Very curious indeed!
bmac62
This is fascinating...buried in my gallery are a batch of pictures of Chicago from the 99th floor of the Sears Tower...the name didn't officially change until a couple of weeks after I was there (June 2009). Having only spent hours, not days in your BIG city, all my visual, mind's eye references eminate from north, east, south, west views from on top of your point of reference. Problem for me is I had no reference from on-the-ground...but now I do...me and my right hand, palm up. As for your picture...perfect illustration...clear, crisp, sharp. What a simple system! And it beats all the high price electronic gadgets out there relying on GPS and monthly data fees to get you or me around. OK, now all I have to remember is the shape of the building from all the cardinal points on the compass...hmmmmm, where's the Siamese-twin in this morning's fog and rain...??? :)
sawade
Hi Chip, the more pictures of your Chicago I see, the more i like this town. Wonderful sights, by day and night. Good to see it, all the best Bernd
CoreyBlack
Boy do I know THIS view! Could that be the Illinois Medical District station on the Blue Line train? Right around the corner from Cook County/Stroger hospital?Let's see, I've been seeing this view A LOT in the last 2 years! And once I divorce myself from the discomfort of the situation, I can see what a stunning view it is. And it's very nicely captured in this shot. You get a feel for how big Chicago really is and how spectacular a lot of the man made vistas are. As for directions,I've always gone by the Sears Tower( I refuse to stoop to calling it the Willis Tower! I've been calling it the Sears Tower since it opened in 1973 and see no reason to stop now ), the John Hancock and Marina Towers. Of course, after all these years I STILL get lost downtown. Anyway, this is a fantastic shot, and nicely moody.
efron_241
you should get to Venice.. Venetië.. and get lost it is breathtaking cool