Functional Symmetry by Chipka
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Description
Beyond all reasonable doubt, the very first machine ever invented in human history is the stone “hand ax:” a simple piece of flint chipped into a wedge. As we know, the wedge is a simple tool by which lateral force is wiggled around and converted into a transverse splitting force. As a writer with a love of words, I find the concepts of lateral force and transverse splitting to be particularly satisfying to type out at a keyboard. Mentally, such concepts tickle my language centers and make me quite pleased with the fact that humans have speech functions. In relation to this photograph, words are also machines of a sort as machines are defined as powered tools consisting of one or more parts to achieve a particular goal.
I saw a machine today. An earth-mover: something vital to the repair of Chicago sewers. As today is Sunday, there was no mechanized, diesel-powered earth movement. There were plenty of market research calls, but that’s another story. The point is: I saw a machine. It was a big, dirty, garishly yellow machine with all sorts of dead plant things wedged into its intimate parts.
I thought, perhaps, that it might inspire ruminations of the Machine known to those familiar with the country of Agara. I thought that it might even inspire something concerning the smaller (at least physically-smaller) mysteries of Ükür: that other apocryphal country in the Balkans. Alas, my mind didn’t wander very far away from Chicago’s Chicago Avenue. Oh well…
…something will emerge: either from Agara or from Ükür, or maybe even from the depths of the interstellar realm of Nemaea. Until then, here is—at least—a photograph of…um…functional, mechanical symmetry…a small piece of something a bit larger, a bit dirtier, and a bit more garish in its dinged and dented shade of stinging-insect yellow.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all on the verge of a great week.
Comments (18)
Faemike55
Great shot of the hydraulic lines interesting discussion on machine(s)
PREECHER
i didn't know that about an ax...wow...this shot is very interesting indeed...i love the flow and the connections...all the textures and the coldness of the pipetry!!!*(is that a word???) it is now...lol chills and thrills
MrsRatbag
I'm suddenly overwhelmed with memories of "Brazil", the Terry Gilliam-directed film starring Jonathan Pryce; the miles of hosing, tubing, oil, grease, and grit that seemed to be part of life in that world. This would be right at home there! Maybe it IS a part of that world? Excellent capture and very thought-provoking...
wysiwig
What an elegant design, really quite beautiful in its way. Well seen and captured. The red bits remind me of Chinese barbequed pork. Not surprising, its 6 p.m. here and time for dinner.
vis151
Reminds me of a sci-fi movie. Nice shot.
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
netot
Fantastic details, excellently captured!
beachzz
Super stuff; all those lines and curves and details do something very important, I'm sure!!
auntietk
I automatically thought Agara, but in the next nano-second I realized it's actually something from Ükür. It's a bit more industrial looking than a straight Agaran design. I'm sure some engineer from Agara could have come up with this of course ... but the final result would probably have had brass fittings or something. Something elegant. I could be wrong, but that was, indeed, what went through my mind before I read a single word of what you'd written.
durleybeachbum
Intricate and yet very sturdy. It will fit into your worlds perfectly.
nikolais
even though I am not quite a friend to symmetry, I love what you've knitted of the light and curves. a most appealing image of a vividly living thing, Chip! you also reminded me of a few photos I've made recently but have been unable to post due to some processes occurrimng at RR lately. I'll keep trying.
flavia49
fabulous image
helanker
Whay a fabulous shot of this old machine, Chip. You always come up with the most awesome stuff, that others dont notice.
sandra46
great capture
CoreyBlack
This certainly looks very purposeful. There's also a touch of Cylon goo there at the bottom. Hmmmmmmmmm. Am I jonesing for the next season of "Battlestar Galactica" on DVD or what? Anyway, I like this a lot. It has texture, and function and looks very DESIGNED. Kind of like when you find yourself staring at a cockroach on the bathroom floor at five in the morning when you're hung over and you notice how intricate all the mechanicals are. Kind of like that.
moochagoo
Love those rusty things. Perfect composition.
KatesFriend
My first thought was of the Fritz Lang film 'Metropolis'. Somehow if this machine were scaled to a ten thousand times its natural size it might feel at home in Lang's dystopian city. Perhaps it's the serpentine look like a vast network of mnemonic tubes transporting information and materials through out the city.
DukeNukem2005
This is an excellent!