All Sorts of Lines by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I’ve given up on trying to keep track of things in Chicago. None of the buildings in this image have their original names, and if any of them do, then no one knows what they are—unless they’re employees of whatever companies occupy those buildings. At any rate, most of Chicago’s landmarks have been recontextualized…and recontextualized again. The Standard Oil Building is called something else now. The Sears Tower is now the Willis Tower…most other landmark buildings in the downtown area are equally re-named. Marshal Fields no longer exists and its flagship store has been bought by Macy’s—or somebody. In short, the city I grew up in no longer exists. In fact, the city of last year doesn’t really exist either. Chicago—by the ever changing names of its buildings—is a city-sized identity crisis. And now, even the Daley Dynasty is coming to a close as our current Mayor, Richard M. Daley has decided to not seek re-election. He’s sold enough of the city to private entities now; he’s made enough money, and so he figures that it’s time to enjoy retirement.
There was a time when I knew the names of these buildings. The one on the left might actually have its original name. Millennium Park: a fairly new addition to the city has survived the name-change craze, but I’m quite sure that it will become something else. As we now have US Cellular Field (I still call it Komiskey Park,) the Willis Tower (I still call it the Sears Tower.) I still cringe at the name “United Center.” What does United Airlines have to do with The Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks? What does US Cellular have to do with baseball? Why aren’t stadiums and ball parks named for their founders, their city, or the teams that call them home? And so, I fully expect Chicago’s Millennium Park to becomes something like “The McDonald’s Garden” or some such place in the near future.
I think of Millennium Park as it stands, and test out whatever names it’s likely to acquire in the upcoming decade…McDonald’s Garden…or something in that committee-designed pasudo-romance hybrid menu language utilized by a particular, pretentious coffee chain: the very same coffee chain that’s probably green with envy as someone else figured out a way to sell coffee that’s already passed through the digestive system of a particular forest dwelling critter I can’t recall at the moment. (What would Starbucks call poop-fermented coffee? Starbucks Gastro-intestionada flatulenciosio? Well…maybe not, it doesn’t sound enough like a French/Italian kit bash.)
At any rate, I have no clue as to what the vertical elements of the picture belong to, or what bits of corporate Darwinism have shifted, shifted, and re-shifted the names I’d spent my early years learning. I like the picture, however, and while Millennium Park still has its current name, I’ll just say that I took this picture there. I loved the pattern of those support struts that don’t support anything, and the upward thrust of the city. I’m sure that in a few years time, the names of everything in this picture will have changed, and so—in an odd Chicago-logical way—current names don’t matter. But I think it’s a cool shot, and so here it is. Hopefully you enjoy it.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all on the verge of a great week.
Comments (30)
Yes i like the lines too...Good eyes
We have the same phenomenon here. Buildings change names so often ... I just call 'em by their old names, or their original nicknames, and leave it at that. I like your photo very much! No matter what they're called, the buildings still have the same lines and the speaker grid at Millenium Park still has the same photogenic face. The camera doesn't care what they're called. Thank heavens!!
Really cool patterns in this shot! Sadly all I have seen of Chicago is the inside of O'Hare from a much too long layover (after a 10 hour flight from Rome that was pure misery). I do have to say that seeing the skyline at dusk from a jet made all the layover misery worth it, what a beautiful sight!
As I read your words, I tried to think of the names of buildings in San Antonio that may have changed names, and thought of our most favorite building which had a name change. The first stone of the Catholic mission San Antonio de Valero was laid in 1744. In 1803, the church, which had been turned over to the town 10 years before, became a barracks for The Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras soldiers of the Spanish Army from Álamo de Parras, Coahuila and got its name The Alamo, which means cottonwood. It's not very likely to change again. I like these lines a lot! Straight lines, squares, curves, and triangles. Some crossing, others not. There is a hint of a checkerboard pattern in the shade of the white building on the right. Great composition and light! I like the alternating light and shadow of the lines of the pavilion. Excellent capture!
I do wish there was some sacred value to a name...to some purely historical and very well known there is stability. Yet, the Sears Tower surprises me but it is business. Is there a college football(USA) bowl game in the BCS without a sponsor name in front? I like the lines. Nice photo..I need to visit Chicago again and ask to see the Sears Tower.
Arrrgggghhhh! You know, Chip, (well, you probably didn't..) that I'd just settled into my favorite computer chair, and taken my first sip of freshly ground and brewed coffee when I read that part about poop-fermented coffee! Fortunately, none of it ended up on my LCD screen.... I've only been to Chigago a couple times - well, actually three if you consider the stop my flight made in July at Midway. From Kansas City to Tampa, Florida by way of Chicago - I have yet to figure that one out. But I wouldn't know one building from another aside from the landmarks like Sears/Willis/Whatever Tower, and the Hancock (is it still called that, or was it something else previously?) building. Fortunately Kansas City has been able to avoid the weekly name-changing syndrome for the most part. A few buildings have changed names to suit thier new owners, but the major landmarks are pretty much the same. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is still "The Nelson," Royal's Stadium is still the same, Arrowhead Stadium is still the same, Kemper Arena is still the same. Hopefully, they won't change anytime soon. Anyway, this is a delightful photo with all the converging lines, angles, arches, swoops, sweeps, and blues and grays. It keeps the eye moving around. Excellent!
wonderful shot
I started working in the US Bank Plaza 10 years ago. Now the US Bank Plaza is 4 blocks away and now I work in the Tower Plaza. I have not changed jobs or offices...the bank relocated and took it's name with it. :-)
Ooutstanding capture my friend.
Really wonderful composition
Strange they have to change names of the buildings all the time. But nothing can change, that this shot is awesome. Almost abstract.
Well, Candlestick Park (in SF) became PacBell Park, then that changed and I have no idea what it is now. It'll always be the Stick to me. All this corporate name changing is beyond stupid, and in the end they shoot themselves in the foot, because no one remembers the latest incarnation, and everyone calls it by the original name anyway. But, I do love this shot, all the angles and details, things all over the place--just like the city itself!!
Yes, indeeds it is hard to keep up with the ever changing names. It just gets people confused. It is pretty much the same here in Brussels. Anyhow, really interesting image with great lines indeed!
I rarely bother to learn the names of the buildings I photograph. They seem to change sooo often! This is great mate, definitely well shot IMHO.
cool composition
The criss crossing of the foreground works wonders in this shot.
Goodness me Chip, do things really change that quickly in Chicago? All I can say is, if you lived here it would be for you like living in slow motion!! ^=^ I like the image though. In it's own way it is quite beautiful. ^=^ You just might be interested in what I post tomorrow.... ^=^
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Wonderful lines, the MP supports remind me of lacings on a shoe, maybe they're holding the city together and if they were taken away those tall buildings would sag to the sides?
Such a fascinating read..I mentioned somewhere here yesterday how I dislike all this 'rebranding'. The picture is great, but your ramble has re-ignited the irritation I feel that the Pembroke Arms has become the Goat and Tricycle..WHAT? Why? They even changed the name of the road which was the worst address in my town and it's still more or less the worst address.
superbly captured image!
At least Soldier Field is still called Soldier Field, even though the new exterior looks much more like the "Tidy Bowl". Perhaps it's appropriate for current quality of the Bears playing? And it's not all crazy, most of the classic buildings dating back to the Columbian Exposition still have their names.
Zig Zag
superlative image and great composition! as to the Dailey Dynasty, nothing new!
superbe photo!!
Wonderful shot!!!
Buildings in London tend to keep their names. It's part of our tradition. But not the new build. It started with the Post Office Tower (now BT Tower), and the Millennium Dome is now called the O2 Arena, which will no doubt change names again if its sponsor changes. I like tradition, and it's pity to see it eaten up by attempts at corporate branding which just lead to public confusion. If the monarchy in the UK fades out, I wonder how long it will be before Buckingham Palace gets renamed Virgin Media Palace? Your capture has some intriguing qualities. The buildings seem to be leaning towards one another, and there's an odd claustrophobia in spite of the clear open sky. This has really appealing composition!
Lots of nice patterns in this capture and maybe an "eye" in the sky - upper left. Dana
Excellent composition .. you really have a good eye for this imo. Thanks for sharing.
A stunning shot! The strong lines of the buildings and the delicate tracery of cables are wonderfully set off by the brilliant blue of the sky. An excfellent cfapture :D