HICAG by Chipka
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Description
State Street is distinct among Chicago streets. It has its own vibe, its own sound, and its own color. It’s the place where Chicago defines itself. If you own a store, State Street is the place to be. Even far, far, and farther to the south, State Street remains distinct. Fat. Healthy. State Street stops before it gets too far north, but it remains fat and healthy.
I took this particular shot of the “hicag” portion of the iconic Chicago Theater sign, on a particular, giddy, late Saturday morning; actually it was Saturday afternoon…sort of. Temperatures had risen pleasantly from the previous night’s wet lows. And, invigorated, Corey and I took zillions of pictures between State and Lake and Tara and Bill’s hotel at Washington and State.
As you can guess, this shot was made on State Street, from a slightly lower vantage point than from the 14th floor of Chicago’s Burnham Hotel…a swanky, historically-significant place located on…State Street (and Washington.) I hadn’t noticed the significance of that address until Bill noticed it: State. Washington. The corner of Washington and State…Washington State. Bill and Tara came here from…well…the national version of their weekend intersection. This shot was taken just down the street from…well…um…the Washington State intersection: there actually should be a Seattle’s Best coffee joint on Washington and State…but alas, Chicago has missed that particular geographical pun.
And so here you have it: the HICAG-fragment of “CHICAGO:” as seen on State Street just before Corey and I made our way to the corner of Washington and State to hang out with a couple of really cool people from Washington State.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (27)
wotan
Really cool portal... beautiful shot Chipka!
Lashia
haha cute title :P I like the beautiful details in the decorations, great shot- thanks for sharing! :) And have you checked out the Photography Story Challenge? Go continue the story!
Faemike55
Great capture and interesting narrative
MrsRatbag
Lots of layers in this intriguing shot, Chip; architectural eye candy!
NefariousDrO
I love it! Most people would try for the entire sign, but you choose a more focused-in approach that takes a snippet out of context and changes how we see it. Changing how we see things is pretty much the norm for you, so I really shouldn't have been surprised by it. Delighted? Oh yes. Most definitely.
PREECHER
Excellently artistic shot. love the included 3 horizontal windows over the 3 prominent faces above the beautiful arched window. if that material is translucent inside the arched window, it looks to be a dark stained glass. it probably creates an interesting image and lighting when viewing from the inside. chills and thrills
auntietk
Do you know, I don't recall seeing that sign from street level. In all the walking around we did, we never passed it. Well ... not that I remember, anyway. I'm not sure why, but this image sent me off on a Google romp that ended when I realized I was researching Suzanne Pleshette and had no idea how I got there. Love the image, regardless! :D
West_coaster07
Just a great image....
LovelyPoetess
Ohhhh, I just love coinkydinks like that (and I also love the faces in the building facade). Like you said, Chicago is so full of interesting buildings, I think one could spend weeks without seeing all. Perhaps we can lure Bill and Tara back before they get too far away by showing them this tid-bit of information I found... Over the weekend of October 15-16, 2011, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is proud to present openhousechicago 2011 (OHC), a free public event that gets you behind-the-scenes of many of the city’s greatest spaces and places and illuminates areas that are normally open “by invitation only”. Whether you are an architecture buff, history enthusiast, or cultural novice, OHC is a unique event that’s fun for all ages, locals and visitors, suburbanites and city dwellers. Participating in OHC is like getting a “backstage pass” to a wide range of Chicago’s most important and interesting buildings located in many different neighborhoods. Key themes for OHC are sustainability and community—how buildings demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency and green technology, and how design connects people and places to create great communities. http://www.openhousechicago.org/
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
jocko500
this is really cool
durleybeachbum
FABULOUS! I love the little Comedy and Tragedy masks in the corners and I can almost hear the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. The little nipply things on the stonework have been matched so cleverly by the bulbs on the sign..most unusual sensitivity to the past..brilliant.
fallen21
Excellent capture!
helanker
What a marvellous building and all the "stucco"--- Ok, decorations are fantastic..... and then we come to the neon light. I must say it is, to my eyes, a disgrace to such a beautiful building. I guess there was no other way of advertizing. And then again. All cities are "decorated" with these neons. But it is a mighty fine shot Chip :D
whaleman
It shall hereafter always be known as the Hicag building, LOL!
Ilona-Krijgsman
what a beautiful building.....if it was my photo I would have tilt it slightly...so that the name is straight....but that is just me.....what a wonderful details...really awesome...you have a good eye for such things.....
flavia49
marvelous detail of a stunning building!
evielouise
excellent all the way!!
sandra46
WONDERFUL CREATION
RodS
Just look at all that detail! Wow! A lost art, building them like this... Great capture, Chip!
Sepiasiren
Another Gloriously Captured facade--very nice
KatesFriend
"Well, what is art without cherubs?" - James I, King of England. There appears to be the face of one on the keystone of the arch and I've always wanted to say that. They really knew how to build a theatre in the old days. Look at all the fine details in the stone work. Even when it was adapted to modern times they can still re-create their original glory. This scene is so colourful with its stone and glass and electric flourishes. I'll bet it is spectacular at night both from outside and inside. Of course the block lettering reminds me of the film 'Chicago' (alas, I never saw the stage show). A movie shot in Toronto - a-hem. Having streetcar tracks payed off again. Watching Richard Gere tap dance in court was worth the price of admission.
dashboard_jehovah
Could have been a guessing game made from this image....people would have been wondering around for days thinking "what or where is HICAG?"
beachzz
I love the blast of color at the bottom--it totally surprised me-!!
bmac62
Oh, man! I took three dozen pictures of the Chicago Theater sign from our 14th floor digs but never took five minutes to walk a block and a half north to see this close up. Cool. And leave it to you Chip to come up with a very unique approach...HICAG ;-)
danapommet
Love the arch and the crest behind it. Then I found the fantastic details in and around the arck. Outstanding! But I couldn't find HICAG on any of my maps!!!!! :o) Dana
praep
Cool shot - I like what we can do with sights changing the frame a bit...