Atlas by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Though the twin-brother gods of Agara are as dominant a national motif as the Catalpa leaves, there are other symbols and cultural tropes that permeate the country. One such mytho-poetic figure is a variation of Atlas, upon whose shoulders the world rests. In Agaran symbolism, the Atlas figure is actually the symbolic representation of Iisek, the Time Keeper. In his most traditional representation, Iisek, holds and empty hourglass. In more modern interpretations, Iisek (often used as the divine mascot of watch and clock makers) is depicted shouldering the burden of a clock without hands.
In all of Agara's major cities, Iisek calls shoppers into expensive boutiques selling exclusive time pieces, and it is Iisek (and his penchant for handless clocks) who insures that tourist-shoppers remain in stores for longer than they probably intend.
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Time seems to be on my mind a lot this weekend. Perhaps because there are so many constraints that seem inordinately time-related. Ah...how wonderful it would be for clocks to go handless for a weekend!
This picture was originally taken on my way home from visiting with Tara and Marilyn, Mark and Corey on the first night that Tara and Marilyn spent in Chicago. With Persian food in my belly, I ambled down Michigan Avenue, taking night shots, and this was one of them. Though I was not thinking of the unreal country of Agara, I found (later, and perhaps timelessly so) that something in this image makes me think of Agara...and so here it is, along with a text-glimpse into a country that has already made an appearance in my gallery.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting...and I hope you're all having a great weekend.
Comments (16)
That's a bit of interesting mythology! Reminds me of the almost complete lack of culture here where I live. (unless you count Beer and hockey as culture)
Atlas shoulders an earthly globe in Radio City's Plaza in New York City. So, I was first introduced to him there at about age 8 or 9. Glad to meet him again in your photo. The clock is new to me...looks like this one actually has hands. Excellent low-light, night photography...something I need to go out and do...I just need to arrange for a body guard:)
Very nice, sort of a through back in time.
That is a very sinister plot by shopping malls if you ask me - no clocks. A far greater crime to human kind than hiding the washrooms. But I have to admit, I've never seen a representation of a handless clock. I expect Chicago is a very Art Deco like city with its streamlines, steal and chrome and its devotion to jewel colours like the jade of your Atlas. And the deep colour reflection of the street lights. You see it reflected to in the art work that comes down from that era. There is something crystaline about this look, immortal and timeless. Hence, the missing hands I suppose.
This is fabulous! I never saw this guy while we were there, and I wish I had. Darn. I guess I'll have to come back! I love the mythology you have woven around this piece. Excellent work!
My friend Billy sent this, but as I was logged into his computer still, it looked (originally) as if I'd made the comment myself. Here's what Billy typed. I'm leaving it here, just because he thought enough to say it and so here it is: "Along with this you have something in common with Cher "If I could turn back time ...." Wonder what would happen if time were indeed handless, would it stop, perhaps become a hazy pause? Thanks for this and for causing me to drift into moments so blissful in my life that I too wish all the clocks were "handless". Nice work dear one. Billy C."
Outstanding capture my friend.
A lot of food for thought this early on a Sunday morning... Marvelous thoughts around time and a perfect image to illustrate! Excellent work Chip! :)
Excellent shot of this time keeper :-) Interesting thoughts too. LOL !
All kinds of things to think about here. He does have time on his hands, doesn't he?
Once again I'm transported first thing in the morning by your words, Chip. The image too is splendid! The angle you took it at makes it seem a very important object,
wonderful image! Great photo!
Great work as all the time.
Your brain must be a fantastic place to live; it's never ever boring!
This si a really cool shot and a really nice angle you have caught it at.
What excellent lines, light and shadows! Man! I need to get back to Chicago! (I'm afraid Prague is financially out of the question, but Chicago...) Love the shadows of his body and the crisscrossing light. I'll wear my watch and dare Iisek to do his worse. I think hiding the restrooms is a far more sadistic crime. I totally enjoyed the narrative once again. I do a mental, gleeful clap of hands when I stumble on another work about Agara. It would be nice to know which of your images are about Agara, but then again, it's nice to come up upon them by surprise!