Brad Pitt and I share the exact same birthday (month, day, year) outside of that, our stories diverge considerably. Mr. Pitt went on to become an internationally famous superstar, while I have led the much more interesting life of the starving artist. I come from a long line of storytellers (whose gift for gab stretches back through the mists of time to our native Ireland) and professional malcontents who were seemingly born to create something in the arts, be it music, writing, sculpture, painting, or photography. I started writing at age 12 with a screenplay with my cousin Ryan about a planet where everyone looked like Elton John entitled "Don't I Know You?" More screenplays followed, several of which received epic Super-8 production with budgets that sometimes ran up to $10. A few even had sound!  More writing followed: songs, poems, short stories, numerous unfinished novels, etc.. Somewhere in there was an attempt at being a rock star...
Still living at home, at age 22, my father dropped an elderly Nikromatt 35-mm film camera into my lap, in the hopes that I would "make a go of it" as a photojournalist. That didn't happen, but I did develop an abiding love of photography that along with writing and archival work have been among the chief passions of my life. When it comes to my photography, I try to be as creative as possible while at the same time striving for a documentary/archival quality. The only set rules I adhere to, when it comes to making pictures are: 1.) Try not to make the picture blurry, and 2.) Don't drop the camera.
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Comments (14)
Chipka
Oh, you do Da political machine proud! Well, you do it proud and leave it a bit miffed...da machine doesn't actually like to be mentioned, so watch out from Bridgeport goons showing up; unless of course you don't mind walkin' with da fishes in those brand new concrete loafers. Okay, having said that, I love this shot and your commentary. I love hearing the non McOprah Obama versions of what Chicago is and can be, and this really puts its finger on that perfectly. And yeah, maybe the owners of this fine establishment didn't forget to pay the bribe, maybe it was just too high a bribe? At any rate, this is so incredibly spot on. Yeah, I like this. And yeah, I prefer the bad, swaggering Chicago too; it was so much fun, and I adored the dirt (and blood?) under its fingernails. I miss that old city and its fat, fatty hamburgers, Greeks, Irish, and Russians all on the take, but giving you really good gyros and hotdogs and bootleg booze for really good prices. This is a great piece of trenchant art. I like it.
kgb224
Outstanding capture and story Corey.
Sea_Dog
Great shot and commentary, Corey.
sandra46
SUPERB CAPTURE
MrsLubner
I must say, coming from Cleveland, the vacation choice for "the Mob" back in the day... the dark side was thrilling. And the King Pins were as genteel and polite as they could be when not doing business. Don't ask how I know... Anyway, Chicago has a rep as does LA, Cleveland and Miami. This is a great shot and I find it more of a satire than a slur.
bmac62
You've done it! That's the best description of Chicago I've heard. On my whirlwind tour of 1 1/2 days, I was only exposed to Good Chicago but I've been reading about Bad Chicago for years and watched every episode of the exploits of Elliot Ness. Thanks for defining the players:) The Cease Work order illustrates the power of the city to run the show. Well seen.
auntietk
The additional comment was written by Left-Handed Louie as a memo to the neighbors ... don't ask. I LOVE your description of your slightly schizophrenic city. :)
minos_6
Superbly observed and captured, and I particularly like the super model analogy. I actually feel like I understand Chicago (a city I have never visited) a little better than I did - of course I always knew the musical wasn't telling me the whole story.....
durleybeachbum
Fabulous, Corey! A most enjoyable read. As for the graft and related behaviour...some years ago a council leader here was surprised to be caught out when it was discovered that all the carpets in his own house, that of his mistress and in her hairdressing salon were mysteriously identical to the specially woven ones in the Pavilion Ballrooms.
TallPockets
Chicago: Vote and OFTEN! (WINK). The home of the CUBBIES (wait til NEXT year!). (SMILES). Methinks your city is like most of OUR America these days. GOOD and BAD. BAD winning. SIGHS.
flavia49
sublime!!
annie5
Thanks for the best description of Chicago! I will not go to leave there..lol but i visited a few years ago the tour etc... Excellent capture Corey :)
skiwillgee
I've never been there. But I loved reading your narrative that finished the story that started with the photo. Superb!
jmb007
tres interessant!!