17 by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
There were clouds that day. The sky was like a painted ceiling: something featureless and utilitarian. What light broke through the flat and unctuous sheet of clouds was thin and diffuse: anemic light. Cold light. But there was life in the city as only there could be.
The streets were devoid of weekday traffic and brave tourists ambled through the luminous anemia of the day, capturing themselves in front of landmarks, as is the tourist custom. There were skateboarders in empty plazas; they performed casual stunts with only pigeons for an audience.
I met with Corey—as is common on every weekend—and we made our way through Chicago’s downtown core, looking for something new…something different…something easily missed during the bustle of any mundane week. We found metal flamingoes and old towers of brick and mortar. We found statues like ancient idols: the twin maidens of Industry and Agriculture. They were sullen ladies in sullen light, consigned to the shadows of Chicago’s Board of Trade. They were intriguing ladies, displaced from their old glories but in possession of an aged, timeworn dignity.
On Adams Street, we passed scaffolds and coffee houses, fast food restaurants, and—yes—tourists. We caught a glimpse of Germany in the shape of a restaurant.
Chicago’s Berghoff reached worldwide fame before it closed a few years ago. The sign remains, the beer-hall interior is meticulously maintained, but the Berghoff is more a landmark than a business. There is a café with the same name. There is a bar, but the beer hall itself remains empty, though graciously so.
I’ve eaten at the Berghoff many times. I have fond memories of it, and as I walked through anemic light with Corey, I passed a place that marks much of my youth. It is fitting that as I grow older things in this city change. It is fitting that one day I will live elsewhere: in a new city that speaks a different language, and so it is fitting—as well—that I captured something of Chicago’s past: a simple door, now closed to visitors but still elegant in its Old World charm.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting. I hope you're all having a great week.
Comments (22)
Wonderful capture my friend,
fantastic the capture...excellent title..!!!!
Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to dig into Seattle or Tucson, or Oakland -- Oregon... ...every so deeply - as well. With a mind and inquiry such as your...
What a find! I absolutely love everything about this doorway and photo. I'm entranced by the repetition of rectangles in this - it's phenominal. The door, the windows, the lams, the address sign, the brass door handle. Then the counterpoint of the window and decoration in the door - squares tilted to make diamonds. Brilliant! Well seen, my friend!
Wonderful capture; the "17" is so prominent, and such a bold statement...I think I ate there once a few years back, with a bunch of Peter Gabriel fans after a Segway tour of the waterfront. It was fun, and it was good.
The description of your walks thru the city is always so real, so graphic. I can almost hear those skateboards, smell the coffee, and hear the oompah of that German restaurant, well if there WAS an oompah there. Just makes me want to walk those sidewalks again, with other ninjas who see so many different things.
Very cool shot!
Reminds me of the cool imagery one would see on a child's program--what I mean by that is--recall some of the fun yet somehow gritty vids from like Sesame street--I still can recall those pics from back in the day--brilliant work...
Sorry, I find this door really funny with the conglomeration of materials, styles and unrelated sizes, but it is unique!
I have an urge to move the door-furnishings which are SO badly placed! But your words are as interesting as ever.
It is indeed a beautiful door. And I like the story about your walks alot.
Beautiful work and work, Chip. I feel I am with you.... Hugs. Di. xx
Cool image !
belle porte!!
outstanding picture!!
outstanding narrative, and the shot is superlative as usual! i love the old-fashioned door and the owner's bravery to open business at no. 17. For sure he wasn't an Italian!
I love the tree reflected and 17 is my number!(not my age:)))!!LOL) I notice that the wood ,the iron and stone are always together there, in Chicago...at least often...yet the details on doors...that grabs me a lot, because the misterious mood it gives! I adore!
17 - a powerful number that reminds me of memories of my youth, places I can never go again,people I will never see again, but the memories still as strong as that door. How grand it is that you have a friend to walk and talk with and share the wonders of the city through your cameras. CC
it looks like a great place .. beautiful shot !
I love Chicago doors. (Did you know?) :D This takes me back to that Friday morning in a heartbeat. All those doors, like a never-ending smorgasbord. I love it that you have an association with this particular door, that you have memories and stories and tales of a time now gone. You have touched this door, walked through it, perhaps throwing a comment over your shoulder to an unseen companion as it closed behind you. Sounds are different on one side of the door than on the other. Outside is traffic, busses honking, perhaps the sound of wind and rain. Inside is a quieter, softer feeling, a visceral comfort in smoke and talk, conversation and laughter, music and the smell of beer. The crowd has an energy all its own ... I wonder if anyone could see this and think it's just a door.
Remarkable work!
I don't know what is is, but most of this old doors semm to tell about all the people theys have seen walking through and are inviting to take a rest and hear the story...smile