Chicago Spin & Jiggle by auntietk
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
For those of you who know Chip, I'm sure you remember his "Spin & Jiggle" series of neon lights. Here's a link to one (rather at random), if you need a refresher: Neon Abstract #6
On one of those most excellent Chicago nights filled with Pecan Sandies and brilliant company, Chip taught me how to do a spin & jiggle image. If I've remembered a third of what he showed me, I'll be happy!
Chip and I sat in front of the window, bent over my laptop, with the Chicago Theater sign behind us. Bill and Corey were talking about something fascinating only to them ... cars or something. Maybe cars, now that I think of it. On the other hand, it might have been cars. One never knows with those two.
Anyway. Chip taught me how to do spin & jiggle, and I taught Chip how to do one of those Tara things with the rectangles and stuff. This was the result.
There is such fun, such laughter, such love, so many smiles across the room, embedded in this image. Perhaps a bit of it might leak out and you'll get a taste of what life is like when you hang out in a downtown Chicago hotel room with very dear friends who happen to be photographers.
Oh ... for those of you who might wonder: This is a single image. I took a picture of the Chicago Theater sign, and panned the camera while the shutter was open, creating a neon "motion blur" sort of thing. Duplicated and flipped and merged, then filtered and postworked and ... well ... whatever. Anyway. It's just one single photograph, postworked beyond the proverbial inch of its life.

Comments (21)
real cool stuff here. good you too learn from each other
It is an engaging image! And, I wish I were there too!
Wow! Thanks to you explanation I can now see how this was achieved. I am going to have to give this a go! Clive
I remember this! That was an incredibly cool night. Flip Wilson was involved in it too, and that was also the night Marilyn made her digital tele-presence visit! That whole weekend was incredible, especially the doing stuff bit where everybody was just relaxed, hanging out, laughing, talking, discussing body styles (well, Bill and Corey were, I have no idea what they were actually talking about as if it lacks warp engines, singularity drives, or complicated M/AM propulsion systems, it's completely alien to me. It's funny listening to car people talking cars, it's so anthropologically intriguing...like listening in on a conversation in another language! And as for this gorgeous spin and jiggle with the slow-pan treatment and the Tara Thing for added interest, it's perfect! Oh, and were't we listening to Patti Smith singing Pissin' in a River? I think we were, because I remember thinking of that being one of Pavl's favorite songs and how we would have been treated to his wonderful, off-key sing-along rendition (complete with Czech accent doing odd things to various parts of the song.) And I love how all of that rushes back as I sit here, nowhere near downtown Chicago on a night devoid of pretty, brilliantly-lit signs. This rocks and I'm so glad to see it here, especially since I watched it come into existence! Feel free to do more of these!
excellent work
Makes a great abstract Tara.
Wonderful! I can just see your all there in my minds eye!
Wow, what a piece...I was so wrapped up in whatever Cory and I were talking about (probably motorhead stuff) I had NO idea that you were receiving spin & jiggle instruction from the master of that unique art form. So is this then the famous Chicago style? I wonder if there is a New Orleans style, a Kansas City style, a St Louis style and maybe even a New York style;-) I really like your work on the famous Chicago Theater sign. I think I probably took at least a dozen pictures of that handsome, historic sign...but nothing approaches this modern interpretation. Well done!
Awesome image Wish I had someone like that to help learn me something I am like Andrea can see you all there Hugs Susan~
It reminds me of music, for some odd reason; what a wonderful experimental artpiece! You two work well together ;)
outstanding image, Tara! love the story you presented as well as Chip's
YEA! Isnt it just great fun fiddling with an image and stuff like that. I love doing such things myself. It looks mighty cool this one :-)
Very beautiful work of art!!! Sound like you had a great time in Chicago.
Very cool!
Oh Hun - your narrative and Bill and Chip's comments make me sad! I would have just loved sharing these moments with my friends across the Atlantic! Man - I feel like I really missed out BIG time. This is marvelous - I like a lot! You or Chip need to teach me too! :)
Very interesting image! :)
Well, you know, when you said spin and jiggle I was thinking....... oh, never mind.... ;-P This is cool, Tara! It reminds me much of one of my departed friends, John Baird. He had spin and jiggle down to a science - and some awesome images came out of it. Super S&J, and great memories!
nice pic!
Superb effect! Thanks for sharing your "secrets".
Great work Tara and a fantastic write up!
A little hard on these old eyes but what a marvelous, colorful, kinetic image. Puts me in mind of hanging mobiles.