Night Signs (Happy Birthday, Marilyn) by Chipka
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Description
I think of Marilyn whenever I see something colorful; one look at her gallery lets you know that she has an eye for color and their relationships. She has a personality that matches. I’ve always thought that colors say a lot about the people who enjoy them and I stand by that, even now. And so its only fitting that I post something with a particular range of colors for a good friend who can get such colors to do really intriguing, surprising, and playful things.
I took this picture on the night that Marilyn made something of a virtual visit to Chicago. I’d stepped outside of the Burnham Hotel for a nicotine break, and in doing so, I saw brilliant signs, brilliant shapes, movement, and mood. It’s often difficult to see a mood, as any mood, by its nature, is an emotional thing. There are times, however, when a mood will manifest itself—if only briefly—in a visual sense.
The night was warmer than expected. The air was crisp. Autumn has come early to Chicago, after all, but on the night of this photograph, there was enough warmth to blunt the night’s chill and turn it into something else: a refreshing thing.
There were crowds on State Street: the Chicago Theater was open for business, providing live music and stage entertainment for those seeking such a thing. There were traffic sounds and speech sounds and the low, background noise of a city enjoying the complexities of its own vibrant life. I noticed this as I saw a neat, linear patch of blue, a cool contrast to the wealth of warmer colors. For a moment, I was transported sideways in time: backwards a little bit, but not in that maudlin, nostalgic way. I’d seen the Joffrey Ballet sign before. I’d seen it through Marilyn’s eyes, and so I immediately thought of her again. (Upon my return to the 14th floor of the Burnham, Marilyn logged onto Yahoo, and for a brief time, she became a presence in room 1408: Tara and Bill, Corey and I had a chance to see her, to talk to her, and to show her—via webcam—the elegance of room 1408. As expected, there was chatter, laughter, and emotional warmth.)
As it’s Marilyn’s birthday, I think it is only fitting to share a moment of the night she visited Chicago, in a digital sense.
Chicago lit itself quite nicely for Tara’s and Bill’s visit. And in capturing that good light, a record of one particular night remains. It’s only fitting that I post this picture now: for Marilyn’s Birthday. She’ll return to Chicago, I’m sure, and when she does, she’ll probably visit the Redhead Bar and Grill (they provide live music, after all!) and find all sorts of interesting things to photograph—the sorts of things Chicago natives often overlook. In the meantime, however, here is yet another glimpse of Chicago: one of many, and an important one…for me, at least.
Happy Birthday, Marilyn, and I hope you can spend the entire year celebrating.
Comments (22)
NefariousDrO
Lovely photo, very fitting birthday present!
netot
Great photo!! The Yellows and reds gives it a sence of city's heat, enhanced by the selected F stop.
charpix
Happy Birthday, Marilyn. This is a beautiful dedi. I only saw State Street during the day, and not at night. We were on our way to Germany before nightfall. ;c)
Faemike55
Very cool capture and great dedication to Marilyn A big Happy Birthday, Marilyn!!!!
Isabelle711
This is such a beautiful and touching story. :)))))) Happy Birthday Marilyn. :))))))))) Excellent capture. :)))))))) Beauty of the nite. :))) Thank you for sharing the sweet story and the beautiful image. :)))))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))))) Most heart felt dedi. :)))))
KatesFriend
Room 1408? Not like the haunted one I hope. The ballet sign is an intriguing contrast to all the other signs and lights in this shot. The blues and whites are cool (if light can be a temperature), modern and laser sharp. I suspect the light is generated through low voltage electron excitation ala. LEDs - no energy wasted on unwanted colours, heat, radio waves or noise (like the buzzing neon sign). In contrast the Chicago theatre sign is old school. Unless one were to use limelight - apt for a theatre I suppose. Hundreds of blinking incandescent bulbs spending half its energies in radiation we can not even see. Very high maintenance, with lights needing replacing by hand almost every day. But oh, so grand and spectacular - what was it you said about mood? It makes one think all the inefficiencies of its technology are worth it.
kgb224
Stunning capture and dedication my friend. God Bless.
durleybeachbum
Looks lively and full of noise. She'll love it!
helanker
Wow what a lovely dedication for Marilyn. Light and golden colors are wonderful for the eyes. Love it.
fallen21
Awesome capture.
mbz2662
Super shot/dedication. For some reason, I wanted to burst out in song when I saw this photo...and you wouldn't guess what darn song jumped into my head!! "Oooooh, I love the night life, oh I got to boogie...." . lol ... disco!
bmac62
Simply a great job Chip...and to have gotten this while relaxing outside for a smoke...a fine reward indeed. I love not commenting first...KatesFriend's comment makes a fascinating comparison of old versus new. The brightness and colors are right up Marilyn's alley. And now I raise my glass of Acqua Panna to you Marilyn...Happy Birthday my friend! Acqua Panna? Italian bottled water on my desk tonight in the 90 year old Columbia Gorge Hotel. Quite a place. Rudolph Valentino used to bring his lady friends here...woohoo;-)
flavia49
fantastic work
Sea_Dog
Great story and image, Chip. What a wonderful cross country band of friends you have.
auntietk
What a wonderful image for Marilyn! Her fascination with photographing neon (especially the Redhead) and her love of color makes this a natural! LOVE the blue slicing across all the warmer tones. Happy Birthday, Marilyn!
sandra46
I LOVE YOUR NIGHT SHOTS
jac204
Great nighttime shop and birthday dedi to Marilyn.
anaber
Beautiful view of the city. I love to see the light and the colours playing together. All is very alive .I love to see the lighted windows above, in the darkness.Great photo and wonderful dedi.I am late,but!Happy Birthday Marylin:))
RodS
Man, I love night shots like this! What a beauty - great capture, Chip! And a big Happy Birthday to Marilyn!
nikolais
lovely night capture and dedi!Happy Birthday to Marylin!
beachzz
Thanks so much, been out of town and am just now seeing this--I love it!!
Mad-Mike
What a very nice dedication to Beachzz :-)) I as well happen to love the living with energy Night Life!