Reflections, A Pedestrian, and a (Reflected) Book by Chipka
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Description
I wonder if this man knows that he’s about to walk across a coffee-house table and into a long, recursive and not-exactly-linear story that doesn’t concern him? He doesn’t look like the sort of person who’d enjoy walking into the Samuel R. Delany fever dream that is Dhalgren in all of its 800+ page glory. Okay, in total truth, he’s wearing one more sandal than the central character in Dhalgren, but that’s the only similarity to any character in that book this man possesses. (For those who are interested, I’m re-reading Dhalgren again, and enjoying it. Again. Because of the odd, non-linear, circular, enigmatic structure of that novel, I firmly believe that no matter how many times you read it, you’ll always read it for the first time. It’s never the same way twice…and for those looking for a straightforward, simple story, Dhalgren is both typographically and conceptually maddening. For readers like me, it’s immensely fun, and has some the kind of stuff in it that would make porn-movie directors blush. What’s not to like about that?)
I find it ironic that I’m re-re-reading Dhalgren and—once again—immersing myself in the mad, topsy-turvy world of…well…I guess you could call it a science fictionalized New York in the early 1970s, displaced in time and space (and transplanted into the Midwestern USA) and trapped within…well…hmm…I guess you’d call it a very odd singularity. There’s a lot of violence in that novel, and a lot more smoke than I remember. Smoke appears everywhere in the fictional city of Bellona, but that’s probably because the founders of that city were stupid enough to name it after the ancient Roman destroyer of cities. That’s my take on the novel, and I’m sticking with it.
Anyway, as I’m re-re-reading Dhalgren, I’m also aware of very strange perceptual things. I suppose I’ve always been aware of the play of reflections and shadows. I’ve always enjoyed them, but now—in looking back at a random photograph I took in a coffeehouse with very green walls—I’m both amazed and disturbed by the implied possibilities I can see in this photograph. Amazed, in that it looks as if some total stranger is actually trans-dimensionally walking across the table I shared with Corey…and he’s walking right into the swanky Vintage Books edition of Dhalgren. Of course, in Dhalgren logic, he’s probably walking out of the book, but because I was not in close proximity to a bridge when I saw his reflection, which is obviously wong since he’s wearing two sandals rather than just one. Yes, Dhalgren logic works like that, and don’t even get me started on the black man named George Harrison!
It isn’t surprising that a Samuel R. Delany novel would dominate this photo with such garish, jarring color, nor is it surprising that this photo might feature reflections, shadows, and a glimpse of the underside of Chicago’s elevated Red Line track. It is surprising that the photo came out in the way that it did, and that in so many ways, it fits the plot of the novel in question. No, there is no black man named George Harrison in this photograph, nor is there a guy wearing only one sandal. Bellona remains smoky and fictional, and yet Chicago (and various reflections of a coffee house) seem to have taken on a few of the attributes of the novel as they shuffle themselves around, and—thus—defining something visually strange and a bit intriguing.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (21)
KatesFriend
Oh great, there's another novel that I'm going to have to try and read now. Thanks a bunch. Distorted reality is always a fun way to (wrapped - because it is distorted too) frame a story. And your right, your walker does look like he is unwittingly about to step from one kind of reality to another. The pages of the book opening to drop him in some random chapter of an already cryptic story. Perhaps this is the key, chose the chapters a random instead of reading the book linearly. Anyways, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
bmac62
This guy looks like a 27 year old Army Ranger home on leave from Afghanistan to me;-) But, hey, I haven't read any Samuel R. Delany. You know you could photoshop off his left sandal... But love this image just the way it is and I see the trans-dimensional quality... Did you notice this guy is wearing a t-shirt with Brooklyn, New York on it? Science fictionalized New York in the early 1970s, hmmmmmmmmmmm... Super picture Chip. Certainly was an inspiration to you:)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
MagikUnicorn
Really COOL FX
MrsRatbag
George Harrison MIGHT be somewhere in that photo, you know. Behind a pillar, just out of sight...you never know. If you see a little blonde named June better get out of there quick, 'cos all heck's gonna break loose! Great shot and narrative perceptions, Chip!
Orinoor
I like this, reminds me of the movie Inkheart, where certain gifted individuals can read from a book out loud and the characters become part of this reality, while someone else gets pulled into the book reality....
Lashia
Great candid shot- thanks for sharing! :-)
Selina Photography™
RodS
Well, as long as he doesn't trip over and spill your coffee... Delightful photo and writing as always, Chip!
blinkings
He looks like he is having a nice relaxing day.
Feliciti
great capture of the moment !! like the reflections too !!
durleybeachbum
Your narrative lost me this time as I am ignorant of the references although I get the jist, but the pic is wonderful. What may be a suction cup on the window is like a random flying sunhat following the bloke like the great balloon in 'The Prisoner'.
treasureprints
Love the narrative with this photo. I really DOES look like he's stepping onto the table, from one dimension to another.:)
icerian
Reflections make daily sceneries more rich. Well done photo.
flavia49
fabulous capture!! marvelous reflections!
auntietk
If one is going to unwittingly and unknowingly walk into a book, the book of which you speak seems to be an appropriate destination. Love the trans-dimensional aspect of this! (Did I tell you I'm working on more of that story that peripherally includes trans dimensional cats?)
Sepiasiren
very kewl--almost looks as if a ghost is emerging from the book--a great capture...
sandra46
VERY COOL CAPTURE, TERRIFIC SHOT
jocko500
I see the table and book too. wonderful
jac204
Great capture using the reflection.
CoreyBlack
Hmmmmmmmmmm, NYC in the early 70s, why does that sound familiar? You think where you live now is bad? tee hee hee... Great book. When you're done with it (6 months from now),I'd like to read it again with 25 year older eyes... Love this shot. It's from the exact same window seat in Emerald City Coffee Bar, that I made a similar shot called "Here's Looking at You" back in January. I must admit, the outside view is much more inviting in your summer shot,as opposed to my winter one. Love the reflections and the way Mr. Alpha Male seems to be poised to walk into the book (and won't know what hit him) Love the free floating suction cup/ flying nipple in the edge of the frame(that was holding a Molly Phelan for alderman poster in my shot)and how it adds even more to the somewhat surreal proceedings. I like this picture a lot!
helanker
A really excellent capture and well seen, Chip.