People of a Sort by Chipka
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Description
Once, there was a place called Avalon; it is gone now—consigned to the shrouds of history. For some the name alone conjures the late 1980s and a narrow, treacherous stairway. For some, memories of climbing those stairs in their best late-night disco shoes are shaded with hints and whispers of cringing nostalgia. Avalon no longer lives and breathes from its perch above Belmont Avenue. It no longer accepts spill-off from the smaller, snootier Berlin, across the street. If you climb the narrow, treacherous stairs, you do so in more sensible shoes, and because you require the services of a tanning salon and hair studio.
I thought of Avalon on a day that Corey and I stood on the Belmont, Red/Brown/Purple line platform. We’d found reason to meander through Boystown; we ate an early dinner and browsed through our favorite, independent bookstore on Broadway. As the day aged and the sun colored itself in sunset flourishes, we made our way along Belmont, climbed to the appropriate train platform and simply waited for the nearest northbound Brown Line train. It was then that I looked across the tracks. I’d wondered—idly—if I could see ghosts of the old Avalon. None revealed themselves. I’d thought to look away, but my eye had been captured: not by an human-obscured building, but by humans…weekend party-hounds heading to some cluster of southerly destinations. They talked. They laughed. They caught sunlight in interesting ways, and so I captured them, on a whim…before anyone even noticed that I had a camera.
There are no hints and whispers of the old, and always crowded Avalon in this photo. The building in which it once lived is barely seen here. The focus isn’t that building, or the advertisements for various hair and tanning products in use within. The focus is a gaggle of humans, their various—odd?—expressions and the kinds of relationships between them that only a camera’s lens may convey.
I don’t know these people. I don’t know where they are now, or even if they are still wearing sandals and gray, pullover shirts. I do know, however, that they’re too young to remember the Avalon, or climbing its stairs in 80s-Chick dance-club wear. I know that they exist in distinct groups, far more desperate than an image such as this might imply. Some, I know, are students at DePaul University: athletes, probably, and popular (quite possibly) with the young ladies. That's all I know, but I am amused at what relationships and expressions they took on in this single, frozen moment
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all in the midst of a great week.
Comments (20)
Orinoor
I really love this photo, the guy just looks so darned HAPPY. I suspect he would not have fit in the Avalon crowd....
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
Feliciti
great captured this young man group...like the sunlight and shadowplay in this scene ...and they laugh!!
sandra46
BRILLIANT URBAN SCENE! I LOVE IT (THEM?)
flavia49
outstanding cast of character!!
bmac62
How times change...in a mere 25 years or so. Imagine returning to this very spot in...say, 2035. Will the sorts of people and sights be significantly different? Or will it just be a different generation waiting for the El to take them south for party time. Maybe one of those guys will be sitting where you were and taking pictures remembering what this stop was like in 2011. Like your written reflections and the way you captured these young men...a lighthearted instant in time. Super image Chip:)
auntietk
I wonder if the guy in long pants was with the group, or if he was just standing there looking like a recruit for the Secret Service? Is DePaul talking to him, or just laughing near him? Do they all think they're the coolest one in the group, or do they all think someone else holds that position? Is one the acknowledged leader, or do they vie for position? These are the things I wonder about when confronted with a group of random guys like this. If I talked to them I'd be able to figure it out, but just seeing people like this makes my mind work overtime! A most excellent image, my friend. Thanks for the exercise! :)
evielouise
I agree the guy in long pants looks out of place hey perhaps he is older than them and just perhaps he is telling them all about avalon?? ya never know: great story and shot:
beachzz
I noticed the long pants too, but more than that, I noticed his shoes!! Love this shot...guys are such a trip when they're in groups. Ok, girls are too, but well, I notice guys more!! lol
CoreyBlack
Oh boy do I remember the Avalon! You just jogged a few things loose on Amnesia Avenue. Yes, I remember the creaky narrow stairs up to the door that spilled out onto the dance floor and the views out the windows onto wild and wacky nighttime Belmont. Dancing to 808 State, Front 242, Ministry and Depeche Mode among many many others. Doing the Goth number with my Gothiest of friends, Chris Kowalski, who was about to surprise the hell out of me by joining the Air Force. Who knew? But when I really remember the Avalon, two incidents (both from 1989) spring immediately to mind. 1: Moshing in front of the stage where Spies Who Surf were blasting through a set and being inches from a giant Marshall amp speaker. The lead guitarist went into a feedback soaked solo that was so loud I got a stabbing pain in my right ear and went deaf for about 20 minutes. Twenty two years later, the ear is still ringing. 2: At that time I was fond of occasionally going out to the clubs in drag. I was young, impossibly skinny, and with my long mane of hair I actually passed for female. There was, however, no disguising my natural baritone no matter how hard I tried. So, I spoke as little as possible. Well, you can't keep that up all night, and most people didn't fall for my Lauren Bacall, but at least they were usually good sports about it. But then there was the gang banger. He was absolutely gorgeous, and just my type. Normally I would be too shy to be so brazen, but he was so beautiful that I just HAD to flirt. Mr. Beautiful and I seemed to be hitting it off with eye and body contact galore. The music was so loud you couldn't hold a decent conversation anyway. Somewhere in there I became aware that he was flashing gang symbols to somebody else on the dance floor. (This wasn't that uncommon in mixed gay/straight clubs in those days.) Shortly after I realized this, the heel broke off one of my shoes (never dance in heels), and there was a lull in the music to where you could clearly hear me say "Oh crap!" in a deep and very masculine voice. Let's just say that Mr. Beautiful was NOT a good sport about it and Chris and I had to get the hell out of there as fast as possible. Never went back to the Avalon after that... It's funny how time passes and now we're the older generation looking at the new crop of young people, with a wealth of history and perspective they wouldn't even be able to fathom...or care about I'm sure. Anyway, enough of my rambling on. This is a great shot that catches the youthful spirit of these guys, as well as how much the area has changed. Very nice work here.
blinkings
Can anyone spot the CIA agent!!!!!!!
icerian
Well seen, dear Chip.
durleybeachbum
Andrew has exactly the same thought as me..only plain clothes policemen have shoes like that; well used to have in past years. Now it's trainers. I love what Corey recalls..what a story!
MrsRatbag
LOL @ Corey's story! It's funny, I was just flashing back to my 80's club times too, at First Avenue/7th St. Entry in Minneapolis (saw a bit of "Purple Rain" on TV the other night, that must have triggered it.) The good old days, eh? Well, this is a really intriguing candid shot, Chip, with an assortment of types that I have very little contact with these days!
jocko500
going to party all night long. cool shot of these people doing they thing
Lashia
reat capture of the crowd- thanks for sharing! :-)
Selina Photography™
aksirp
oh yes people are lazy, but they looks so pleasured- what want you more? super shot, in every one is a old base, can see it in this, could be awaked if required, yes?
makron
Very lovely scene. Great capture
RodS
A wonderful candid shot of these guys, Chip!
jac204
Great capture and the important thing is that most of the guys look like they are having fun.