Symbolic Detail #1 by Chipka
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Description
Tara and Bill were in Chicago on the day that I saw Poseidon (or his cousin, whose name, I believe, is Marvin) decorating half of an archway. I’d seen the Crain communications building on numerous occasions, but didn’t know what it was called. That’s the thing with Chicago landmarks. They’re subject to the fickle whims of corporate vanity and so their names change with disturbing regularity. I suppose the Crain Communications building had another name in the past: a real name and not some linguistic billboard expected to pass for nomenclature in this advertising-infected age. I wasn’t concerned with the name of the building, as I took this picture. I was simply enamored with the idea that there were things on the building: partially-naked people doing the sorts of things that partially-naked people do, when they’re employed as architectural ornaments. There were three of them—something of a god, something of a goddess, and a diminutive, heroic figure (fully dressed) standing in place of the key-stone, cap-stone, or whatever one would call that stone that marks the top of a very important door. I’ll get to that guy later. For now, my focus is on Poseidon’s cousin. I suspect his job is centered on the complexities of commerce. Trade. Stuff that requires boats. I suspect that he’s a god, because he’s mostly naked and his reproductive/urinary bits are covered by an improbable and not-entirely-appropriate bit of Judeo-Christian modesty.
It was because of Tara and Bill that I’d even discovered the triad of people at home on the Crain Communications building. I’d paused to take this photograph as we were entering the building. We were drawn, as I recall, by the extravagance of an interior dome: something Old-World and vaguely Italianate in form and function. The mostly-naked god, mostly-naked goddess, and the diminutive, upright demigod were but a foretaste of what dwelled inside. I rather liked their presence, and the manner in which they lived between the extravagance of flagrantly-overdone Corinthian columns. They were (are?) throwbacks to a day when fake-Greek stuff meant wealth and refinement. They were soft-porn for the masses: implied genitals and voluptuous thighs in naturalistic poses of…extreme boredom. And in looking back at this image, and two that will come later, they are markers of a pleasant day.
We talked a lot on the day that I captured this image; we laughed a lot, and enjoyed snacks consisting of pecan sandies, grapes, and diet coke. We enjoyed Persian food at a restaurant that now stands within walking distance of my current job. And, as this image (and others) show, we snapped countless pictures. That’s how a good say should go, and I’m quite happy that I can look back and realize (belatedly) that Poseidon’s cousin (Marvin?) adorns one of Chicago’s more eye-friendly buildings.
There are other carved people to show, and they will make their appearance in my gallery, but for now, here’s a guy with a boat.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend—or the beginning of a great week. Happy Easter to those who celebrate Easter. As you can guess, I have lots of catching up to do, and I hope to begin that process a bit later today. I’m in the midst of eating Pecan Sandies now (with Dr. Pepper rather than Diet Coke) and so catching up may be a bit delayed as I’m more interested in munching on cookies.
Comments (18)
durleybeachbum
Marvin, eh? He's got the whole weight of that ship on his knee, no wonder he looks so strained. A great read and I love the close look at this superb column and it's surroundings.
cfulton
I love this ornate detail, Clive
NefariousDrO
Very cool detail, and a very nice photo of that detail. I love the description: a guy with a boat. It's amazing and wonderful how you can wax poetic and elegant one moment and then abruptly shift gears for maximum effect. It's also highly amusing to see something ostentatiously ornate described in such un-adorned language. You have a real gift that I admire to no end.
Faemike55
Very cool capture! Marvin must be one of those really lesser gods that are like the Black Sheep of the God family I wish you and yours a Happy Easter
flavia49
excellent Happy Easter!!
RodS
Superb detail and a great shot, Chip!
bmac62
He is striking quite a laid-back pose...I wouldn't surprised if he'd accept your offer of a couple of grapes but you'd probably get a very strange look if you offered him Pecan Sandies and a Dr. Pepper. Excellent photo of a fine piece of architectural adornment...there was so much to see there, somehow I missed Marvin:) Great read too!
auntietk
Well, I see Marvin still has his towel, so he's ready to go off on his next inter-gallactic adventure. (The other necessary items are undoubtedly in the boat, and the very fact that Marvin HAS a boat is proof in my mind, at least, that he knows where his towel is. Besides, the Corinthian column proves he's important.) His relaxed pose is the architectural symbol for "Don't Panic." (I assume you've memorized the Hitchhikers Guide, you being you. I admit I had to look up a couple things in order to verify what I thought I knew, and it turned out I did.) Aside from the nonsense, which you know I adore, I LOVE this image! It's perfect in mono, and if it isn't mono it doesn't matter. The light and shadow are everything you need to experience this. What a fabulous shot! It's the London Guarantee and Accident Building, if you want to stick with the original (which I generally do). 1922. Architect was Alfred S. Alschuler. Love, love, LOVE this!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
helanker
HA! I agree with NefariousDrO abouth changing gear all of a sudden. Love that and I was pretty amused by your narrative :-) Not to mention this beautiful shot of these amazing ornaments.
whaleman
He looks rather uncomfortable wedged in there, but at least he's out of the rain.
MrsRatbag
What I admire about him is that he's holding up a building with the top of his head, like he's not even thinking about the it. Great multi-tasking, to be so ostentatiously at ease and yet be working so hard. Love your POV for the shot (and the narrative too!)
angora
awesome!!!
KatesFriend
Mmmmm... cookies. I know what you mean about the fickle names of city land marks. Toronto has a performing arts stage on Front Street. Built in the early 60's it was christened 'The O'Keefe Centre' after the O'Keefe brewing company who were responsible in supplying the capital costs for its construction. But a $5 million dollar donation in the mid-90's made the place 'The Hummingbird Centre' after the now defunct Canadian software corporation. These days the place is now called 'The Sony Centre'. And given Sony's performance in the last few years I'm certain another regeneration is just around the corner. Don't get me started on 'The Sky Dome'. At least with your building, something will endure long after its current corporate sponsor has met its maker in Chapter Eleven purgatory. Where all bad corporations go after bankruptcy for an eternity of litigation and a terrible gnashing of lawyers. Perhaps then, will this building adopt its proper name for all time - Marvin. The first name, hidden in plain sight.
sandra46
A GREAT SHOT FOR A GREAT DAY
beachzz
sigh Chicago---what a town, I so want to come back!!
MagikUnicorn
Thats AWESOME Gorgeous Architecture
danapommet
I love this hidden secret and the POV that includes the top of the Corinthian column. Nice find, capture and share!