Rusty, Flaky, and Shiny by Chipka
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Description
Though I live just outside of a city immortalized and honestly examined in the writing of Nelson Algren, my interest in cities remains (And I’m sure that I’ll eventually return to Prague, a city not laid bare by Nelson Algren’s perceptive social dissections). Because of my history in the city of Chicago, I’ll always maintain at least a passing interest in that tempestuous identity crisis that is the Windy City today. In exploring a well-explored region of Chicago last year, I found myself amazed at just how strange my birth city actually is, and how easy it became for a cash-strapped city to lose a profoundly prodigious moneymaker. Because of bickering and efforts to save a…parking lot by the “Friends of the Park” Chicago dithered away the chance to serve as the home of George Lucas’ museum of Cinematic Arts…or whatever it was going to be called. Because of where the international money maker was going to be built, Chicago’s rather vocal let’s shoot ourselves in the foot faction effectively blocked a cultural icon that George Lucas was willing to pay for himself…oh, and he was going to pay lots of people in Chicago to build it, and then donate vast sums of money to educational programs in Chicago, while providing a galaxy’s worth of revenue to the Winded City. But the “Friends of the Park” took it upon themselves to do a typically Chicago-esque thing: they rallied around the defense of…well…a parking lot that was unused, while saying that they objected to a private property (a museum) being placed too near the lake-shore. (Someone needed to tell them that Soldier Field, a sports arena grown like a tumor from the classical architectural features of an older sports arena is very private, as is the city’s largest, horrendously ugly convention center. A money-maker museum (admittedly shaped like a dollop of melting ice cream) would have been a welcome addition.)
Chicago currently molders in the depths of rather insipid changes, but aspects of the Old and the Yet-to-Come Chicago stand in defiance of the current “high end shopping mall with limited parking” that the city has become. The conflict is palpable at times, and this it is something that I’ve long hoped to photograph.
There are times, however, when straightforward photography doesn’t work and blending becomes necessary. Though rust and glimmers exist in uncanny overlap within the boundaries of Chicago, the city is doing its best to deny this reality and it becomes harder to photograph it in so straightforward a manner. Blending/digifiddling becomes necessary. The image here is one attempt.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (17)
Faemike55
a very apt image to go with the narrative you've provided. For some reason, the NIMBY crowd seems to present the most absurd arguments in defense of some obscure plot of land by raising fears of the 'troubles' it will bring to the area like the non-existent riff-raff that will lurk in the shadows and terrorize the genteel public. A pox on them all and all their houses!
Again, a great image and narrative.
wysiwig
My mother used to have a saying, "Pull up the ladder, I've got mine." Although I find decay more visually interesting than clean and shiny (I'm partial to flaky myself), I recognize the need for renewal. We humans seem to only be able to see things in the short run. The museum could well have served as an anchor for the redevelopment of an entire area of Chicago. But as Mark Twain once said, "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." And now Lucas is offering his museum to either San Francisco again or Los Angeles. There are competing designs.
Your image is not only skillful and creative but is an excellent visual to your narrative. If you are interested here is a link to the current status of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, its new name.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-george-lucas-museum-designs-20161026-snap-htmlstory.html
Chipka
Now that you mention it, that was the name they were using here, but everyone called it "The Star Wars Museum" which is probably what worked against it. Science Fiction, especially socially-impacting science fiction isn't popular in Chicago. Magical thinking is, however.
RodS
This kind of idiosity (is that a word?) isn't limited to the Windy City, my friend! We have our own crop of them firmly entrenched in Kansas City, Mo. Hence losing the American Royal (a Kansas City tradition for decades) to the Kansas side..
That must be some special parking lot.... :-O
Cool image, Chip!
DukeNukem2005
This is a very beautiful and very nice!
Mondwin
Beauty realisation my friend!!!Bravissimo!V:DDD.HUgsxx Whylma
helanker
I love, when you create these beautiful mixes with layers. You always do them so well. Love this. So nice to see you back :)
kgb224
Outstanding work my friend. God bless.
jendellas
Fantastic pic & writing.
durleybeachbum
Wonderful to read and see such perfect partners. The NIMBY sect always seem to win , such a shame.
claude19
Dear friend, as I understand you! Obviously you can only regret Prague and all its architectural treasures as a US financial city and Chicago! When we see this populist candidate stoop to that level this intelectuel the Union, we can not think of qye Chiocago returning to its historical infernal love !!!
superb realization !!!
KatesFriend
If I ever were to own a parking lot I would name it 'Paved Paradise' and yes there is a 'big yellow taxi' somewhere in this scene. The lot entrance would be a rainbow like arch with its colours deliberately faded, chipped and dirty - a tribute to the urban aesthetic of conservative neglect. Indeed, the name 'Paved Paradise' would be cheaply plastered on the top of the arch to cover over what was the lot's previous more people friendly function in, "the old days, when the cinema across the street was open". And there would be an automated ticket dispenser which always wished you a lovely day in a bright, cheery yet somehow soulless tone. Like the Village PA voice in 'The Prisoner'. 'Do nothing' is the easiest solution to any problem for many politicians. Never underestimate the unreasoning love for asphalt which has been etched into mental wheels of some so called leaders. For them, there is something sacred about these social sink holes. Even cracked and weedy, they're strangely empowering to a certain class of politician. I love your artwork, it speaks to how easily a great city can lose its character and soul to the advancement of its own pavement.
flavia49
amazing as usual
sandra46
great work!
jac204
I always hunger for the time I can visit your city again after reading one of your posts.
nigh23
Chipka, I never realy expressed to you how much I was moved by your art and work. It,s superb. You are a true artist. Brad
Madbat
Last time I talked to you, you were still IN Prague, what happened there? And I will never understand why anyone would defend a parking lot, unless it was in Downtown Edmonton. Our problem is the exact opposite. Fantasticle attempts at revitalisation, and a complete lack of affordable parking and an abysmal public transit system. It's a 20 minute drive downtown from where I am, and it takes an hour and a half by public transit. God help you if you want to go anywhere after 7pm. It's at least another hour.
Does anyone actually plan these things?
jmb007
jolie