Cratona Avenue, the Bronx by brewgirlca
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Description
This is an intersection, obviously. But not so obvious is that it is an intersection between the worlds. The worlds of the haves and have nots. I am looking into the world of the haves, I have my back turned to the world of the have nots. Am I thus imitating the life of privilege in America? Shutting "them" out from view.
Just a few minutes before I had captured "Not a Pretty Picture". A worn out man is lying on a park bench just a few yards behind me. Another man is sitting at another bench. He is staring out into space, in his own world. But now I have my back turned to their worlds. On my left is Fordham University, a gated college with a long proud history of Jesuit academia. To my right is the southern edge of The New York Botanic Gardens, home to one of the largest academic centers of the study of biological diversity in the world. You cannot enter either of those worlds by just walking in. You have to have money, you have to have academic credentials, you have to have privilege. They are islands of the haves, floating in a sea of the have nots; surrounded, gated, protected - cut off. They are anachronisms; they are survivors of a lost age of privilege.
Fast, clean expensive cars whiz past me as I am caught out walking on an island in the intersection of Cratona Avenue. I'm deep in the Bronx. I can feel the heat of traffic, I can feel the rush; ahead of me no one is walking anywhere, people are on a fast journey. They are movers. Behind me I feel the heat of people moving on hot crowded sidewalks, not to say there are no cars, but life is both slower and harder. If you are aware you can feel this intersection of space - a different feeling of movement, a different feeling of life. You cannot feel this driving by in a car - or if you do you are likely gonna be a bit scared - heck that's part of the reason you're in the damn car! But you are gonna miss the real, almost sensual feel of being at one of life's intersections.
No, you have to get out, to have your feet on the ground, you have to be moving slow, you have to be alert to your space. Your mind has to be open, perhaps as Chipka says, it helps to be a stranger, so that your senses are not dulled by familiarity. Only then can you not only see, but you can taste and feel the landscape, you can detect intersections that are not readily visible or at least not without a deep awareness of place. And then hopefully you can transfer those feelings into your work, and, perhaps, then you can draw out and share what you felt and not just what you saw.
Comments (18)
JohnDelaquiox
wonderful capture
barryjeffer
You've portrayed life elegantly with your words, painted it equally well with your image Roxy. Outstanding and moving work.
vyktohria
Well said... ;)
photosynthesis
I like the slightly abstracted, flattened look of this, which actually becomes literally an abstract in parts (the bit of road between the white & blue car, for example). But I don't think islands of the haves have become anachronisms at all - in fact I think they are becoming more common as the gap between rich & poor widens - especially in densely populated urban & suburban areas. One of the things I like about living in a rural area is that such islands are less common out here - we have rich people with large estates, ordinary modest homes, farms, communal groups living in yurts, trailer parks, rundown shacks all mixed together. There are occasional conflicts between neighbors, but that's life & for the most part we all get along...
RodS
An elegant photo, and eloquent words, Roxy. It's almost like being there - experiencing these journeys through your lens and your writings. Don't stop any time soon...
SidheRoseGraphics
Great description Roxy. You can almost feel the heat and smell the smell of corruption and luxury. And which is which? Guess it depends on which side of the street you're on. Wise to stand in the middle. Excellent shot and postwork!
Blush
Great capture sweetie going to see the one I missed before this one....... hugs susan~
nefertiabet
Wonderful image and colors!!!
twelvemark21
Great photo but it is your commentary that makes this beautiful.Well said!
magnus073
Great photo that makes a powerful statement Roxy
3dpoetry
Love the skyscape, sensational work
Faemike55
the image and the words speak volumes to those who will listen and heed Great work
arthena
Almost like a painting! After your description I'm glad I'm living in Sweden. At least I can enter any university I want to..
nitegrafix
Very very cool!!!!!!
Fidelity2
It is very great. 5+! Thanks.
drifterlee
Wonderful shot!
mikeerson
and then the bums of the Bronx hit you, they sneak up behind you and ask you if you really want to see what happens at this intersection... they tell you they are going to give you a taste. they grab your hands and lead you across the street, not too far from the intersection. as the open up the doors to a business and drag you into there little man cave of a deep dark hole you hear the music, yes it is the music you've come to know as the music they use for football. you hear the introduction... Manning of the New York Jets is introduced... you listen for his opponient... they say it is Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, but you Laugh... you know it's Tebow... as the Sanchez betters loose there money and the former Broncos QB takes over they slam their drinks and leave the bar.... the Bronx Bums grab your hands once again and drag you out the door to witness what truely happens at the intersection - Liquid alcohol turns into red pavement before your eyes... and now this intersection has a whole new meaning... you bow your head and go back inside to watch the Tebow take the reins of the New York Jets and Beat the Defending Superbowl champions and think why do people think Tebow isn't that good???
dragonmuse
Love the postwork.. very nicely done.