Mural With Chairs by Chipka
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Description
I have a growing fascination with things on walls; I think it all started with my first exposure to ancient Egyptian artwork: bas relief carvings on any flat surface and painted tomb murals depicting a rather inventive, and visually appealing (if stylized) afterlife. The ancient Egyptians, I firmly believe, had a really hard time leaving walls blank. Unlike others with a compulsion for covering walls with artwork like some form of architectural plaque, the ancient Egyptians managed a particular measure of artistic grace, though I suspect that animal-headed deities (whether you believe in them or not) are, hands-down, the best way to add a bit of artistic interest to a room. Let’s face it: the ancient and venerable god Anubis is the ultimate architectural accessory. It’s his ears, you know; an entire branch of artistic discipline hinges on the proper way to depict a jackal-headed god’s ears. Well, that’s my story, at least, and I’m sticking with it.
Beyond the realm of jackal ears, and such, I can’t say that I’ve been really big on murals. I never disliked them; I just never saw much in them to draw my interest. Well, that’s not entirely true, there are some Communist Era murals (in the Socialist Realist style) that really draw my eye, but I think that’s because the whole genre of Socialist Realism borders on the outright strange in its single-mindedly propagandistic purpose. I think its relative proximity to Social Realism makes it interesting as well. Essentially the two art genres are almost the same, but where Social Realism humanizes people somehow marginalized by any dominant society, Socialist Realist works often go in an opposite direction and marginalize the privilaged. It’s rather like exchanging one set of arbitrary and dogmatic constraints for another set of arbitrary, dogmatic constraints; nothing gets solved that way. Tension and resentment simply increase and switch direction. I guess it’s the addition of one extra syllable on then end of “social” that makes all of the difference. Or maybe not. At any rate, I never really found much use for purely “pretty” mural work, or much real comfort in that Socialist stuff: it’s as graceful as a bulldozer driven by a drunk, after all.
I bring all of this up because of a recent outing with Corey. I went with him, to a refill for one of his prescriptions. The pharmacy in question is located at the Howard Brown Health Center. It’s rather nice seeing Jane Addams and Howard Brown in a rather sleek reception area, emblazoned on a wall with mosaic tiles that still gleam with relative newness; it’s even better to see the mural without people walking in front of. I bring all of this up as well, because I like the mural. It’s by Roger Brown. His works grace various Chicago institutions, and they are all top-shelf work. Social Realism at its best, though not all of his works are as “social” in inclination. He’s done a few mythic murals as well, and I rather like the balance (and tension) that exists between the likes of Howard Brown or Jane Addams on one end and Icarus and Daedalus on the other. Myth and reality is a wonderful somewhat tense dynamic to exist in an artist’s body of work as rich as Roger Brown’s…hmmm…I wonder if he’s any relation to Howard Brown? I suppose I could google that, but I’m incredibly lazy at the moment.
It would seem that my interest in things on walls goes a bit beyond ancient Egyptian stuff, or odd, almost petroglyphic scrawls on the roofs of buildings. I’m rather glad of that, because it means that I could see something else of interest as early as next week.
As always, thank you for viewing, and reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (21)
Bothellite
Have you seen "The Dance Of The Drunken Bulldozers? Nope -- me neither. But I am a half-assed fan of 'good' graffiti. Murals? Where do you draw the line? Fun TOPIC!
durleybeachbum
What a WIERD piece of work! I enjoted your narrative, but the scale of this seems not right for this space. It could seem oppressive!
NefariousDrO
That is a very interesting photo, you clearly weren't just interested in the mural, but how this mural fits into the larger environment around it. This may be the most difficult thing about doing art on such a scale. I see many murals that seem to be quite good in their way, but are almost defiantly separated from the rest of the room. Yet, what would the Sistine Chapel be without it's wonderful art? That was a case of art that blended so completely into its environment that it's now impossible to even imagine that space without those amazing creations. I like how the color and pattern of the sky behind the two figures is echoed in the throw-rug between those chairs, how the colors find a an echo in the lighting. This mural seems to dominate the room, but not in a negative way but rather like the way a good window offers an energy that almost expands a room. This must have been a fascinating space to see in person!
MagikUnicorn
I love this!!! GORGEOUS AND UNIQUE CAPTURE... Take a moment this after noon WATCH LIVE: SPACE SHUTLLE DISCOVERY LAST FLIGHT LIVE AT NASA TV
GARAGELAND
I had to look twice here, amazing creation!!!!!!!!
jmb007
belle photo!
helanker
That is a very strange wall painting. Not sure that I like it. I think it is the background pattern I think I dislike. But I do like a good piece of graffiti and some egyptian wall art too.
kgb224
Outstanding find and capture my friend rounded of with perfect writing on your thoughts of this mural.
sandra46
GORGEOUS, FANTABULOUS IMAGE!!!!
RodS
An interesting mural to be sure. Beautifully exposed and the composition is excellent. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on this.
mgtcs
WOW...This is a wonderful photo Chip, fantastic work, fabulous writing!
Orinoor
What I really like about murals is that everyone has an opinion about them, which is just fun. I also like murals because they are big and hard to ignore, a lot like some people I know. Some are beautiful, some boring, some just don't seem to fit, much like this one. I think I like it because of that. I've never heard of Social Realism/Social Realists, but it sounds like something a professor made up to confuse people. Great image and writing!
Crabbycabby
Great Photo, but I do not think I could live with that particular wall image for too long.
SSoffia
Great narrative always beautiful capture & perspective !!!!!
flavia49
stunning capture!!
minos_6
What a fascinating capture! The room looks so sterile, and the mural is most incongruent with its surroundings. This is a pharmacy like none I've ever seen... What I like most is the contrast between the overall sharpness of your image, and the fuzzy blurred feel to the wall art. Beautifully observed and captured!
beachzz
My pharmacy sure doesn't look like this. I'd go there just for this mural and the photographic opportunities!!
anaber
Fabulous capture,Chip!! Walls are a big mystery for me...i think in what can "exist" inside them, and the "stories" that they dont tell! Grafitty are challenging for me..i always ask "WHY"?? I love this one.
auntietk
Love the mural's ideals, but I'm with Helle on the background. It's a bit much! Those large, in-your-face shapes seem to present a political challenge rather than a celebration of the accomplishments of a couple of extraordinary people. Of course a lot has happened in the world since it was installed. Maybe if Brown was busily affixing those teeny tiny pieces to the wall today they would convey a more cheerful, relaxed mood. The whole thing is a bit intimidating! The chairs make me think the rest of the room would be somewhat minimalist. Yikes! Anything but! This is a super photograph. Educational, thought provoking, and just downright fun to look at!
bmac62
Fine photo and a great discussion. I think I've learned something this morning. And that's always good:)
CoreyBlack
Wow! Nice work here. I'm trying to remember my initial reaction to this mural when I first started going to Howard Brown 10 years ago. I think I was so happy that there was finally a GLBT health center in the city than I barely even noticed the thing, odd as that may sound. Over the years I've grown so accostomed to seeing it that I barely even notice that it's there. Do I like it? Well, having grown up with professional artists for parents, I'm pretty open to all kinds of art, and try to take pieces on their own merits. So, I guess I like it alright, but it doesn't really GRAB me like some art does. This is a nice capture all the same, and it's always interesting to see something your overly familiar with from someone else's point of view.