Glistening by Chipka
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Description
There’s a mood common to large cities: a species of obscenity beyond any breed of vile act, practice, or belief. The mood looms, and you may feel its chill even on the hottest, most humid nights in the city. It shifts—like an impatient poltergeist—from place to place: it occupies bricks and mortar, it occupies wood…it occupies metal and glass, marble, granite, and concrete. It looms and it slithers: whispering beneath the sound of passing traffic or the clack-clack-clack of high heels, keeping time with urgent agendas. It is an unspeakable mood, at home in the business cores of most large cities. There are those who call the mood business. Others call it more irreligious things. It is a mood known for its flighty nature. It passes.
On the night that I snapped this photograph, it had passed. I sensed it, sleeping. Shifting and snuffling and venting noxious gasses within the enclosure of its nest. The mood is a nocturnal thing. Its interests are inhuman. When it sleeps, however, something else emerges and occupies the skyscraper altars dedicated to the Holy Trinity of Finance, Insurance, and Retail. It is a shiny thing….
It is not gold, though its value is as arbitrary. It glitters. It attracts the magpie eye and emerges when it’s opposite mood lies sleeping in its nest.
*
I took this photograph a few nights ago, while wandering around after work. I’ve passed this place many times, and I’m sure that I’ll pass it again. In the meantime, I’m satisfied with this single photo. It’s one of the last photos of 2012, posted here, simply because I like it. As of now, it’s my last post of 2012: Chicago time.
Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope that 2013 is a great, apocalypse-free year for you all.
Comments (17)
CoreyBlack
Hmmmmmmmmm. Those ceiling lights look like some kind of shiny, metallic boa constrictor hanging in a tree, waiting to drop down and squeeze the life out of you. Typical business behavior. Love the angles and reflections on this, and you really nailed that night big city vibe. Great shot!
beachzz
Yikes, I'm never gonna walk at night again!! And here I was all set to tell you what a cool place this was. Omg, now I'm hearing things go bump in the night.....
auntietk
Oh yeah. I love the picture, but hate that vibe! It's commercial, it's greedy, and it is SO far outside my cultural sphere of interest it's actually irrelevant! But I do like the shiny magpie thing. :P Excellent image!
bmac62
Happy New Year Chip...5 minutes late:-) Love the lights, the reflectivity, the shine...if only Edison could see what his light bulb has wrought...well, on second thought, he'd be quite proud I am sure.
durleybeachbum
What's behind those pillars? You've got me nervy now! All the very best for the coming year, Chip.
whaleman
I like it! All the best to you in 2013 Chip!
treasureprints
Interesting and creepy narrative. Love the photo!:)
kgb224
Superb capture and post work my friend. Happy new year to you. God Bless.
flavia49
beautiful! Happy New Year!
Faemike55
Great capture and commentary. Happy New Year
MrsRatbag
The retail/commercial beast resting up for its next attack...gorgeous shot, Chip, and happy new year!
helanker
I Just love this shot. THe warm feeling and all the reflections in the windows, not to mention the lights everywhere.
moochagoo
Very interesting geometrical composition/
RodS
Another gorgeous night shot, Chip! Just love this!
sandra46
excellent! happy new year!
wysiwig
Your feelings are understandable and widely shared. But what can you expect in a land where the three wise men now wear business suits? Despite the Christmas lights this has a very cold feel to it. Great way to end the year.
KatesFriend
First thoughts upon seeing this photograph: The opening scene from 'Colossus: The Forbin Project'. All you need is a lab coated gentleman emerging at the far end of this walkway and the moment would be perfect. You really have a way of conveying mood very concisely. I get the concept of the beast of which you speak. Though, I suspect that each city has a somewhat different breed. Ours creates a wall around all the city's inhabitants which keeps them from knowing and understanding each other. It keeps them fixed on their own selfish pursuits. And yes, ours sleeps too. Sometimes for days, often for just a few minutes. A belated Happy New Year to you as well my friend.