January 01, 2015 by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The city of Berwyn, Illinois, is—according to brochures—one of the best kept secrets in the Chicago area. The city, located just 8 dainty miles from the Chicago Loop, served as home for one the more eccentric elements of Midwestern art. A shishkabob made of cars, known as The Spindle stood rather prominently on a bit of shopping mall property. The Spindle, featured in Corey’s gallery was something of a magnet for controversy; its appearances in the movie: Wayne’s World gave that particular movie a bit of…um…something. Car-kabobs aren’t exactly a mainstay in High Art circles and the Tia Carerre-obsessed characters in a low-brow comedy were not enough to save The Spindle. In the fall of 2007, the famous car-kabob fell to a landslide vote to have it removed. Though “The Spindle” was much beloved by some members of Berwyn, other members of the community felt the urge to have it removed. (There were plans to replace it with a large-chain drug-store.)
There are no car-kabobs in Berwyn, Illinois, anymore. As I write this, I’m no longer in Chicago, though I am 8 dainty miles from the Chicago Loop. I’ve moved from one of the more…um…colorful areas of the winded city. Corey has moved away from one of the more...um…special roommates around, and we’re not at home in garden apartment in the city of Berwyn. It’s quiet here. The building in which we live is filled with musicians, artists of other sorts, and someone in a rather ominous-though-street-elegant trench-coat (it matches his goatee). I don’t know much about him, though I do know that he prefers Jack Daniels to beer, and he’s friends with a musician who photographs cars for local business that specialize in selling automotive contrivances.
I have quite a number of photographs in my files to post, but the collage/montage thingie here, is composed of the very first photographs I took upon my move to Berwyn. On the night that these various photographs were taken, I’d discovered the hours of operation for both Czech restaurants in the area, and (within an hour of moving into the Berwynian confines) found a liquor store that sells three brands of Czech beer, as well as that clear rocket fuel that guys like Pavl and Štepán are so fond of. I hear rumor that there’s quite a large Czech population in the area: and though I’m only 8 miles away from the Chicago Loop, I am no longer subject to the political whims of The God-Emperor (Um, I mean, Mayor) of Chicago. How refreshing! And so, in honor of a new year in a new city (with a new mobile phone, no less!) here is the first of my posts to appear this year.
Happy New Year to everyone and thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting.
Comments (14)
Very interesting photo-montage as well as the narrative of the new realms that you live in, quite away from that GEM that rules Chicago! I wish you joy happiness and success in your move and I look forward to the new photos as well as your discussions. BTW - Happy New Year to you and yours
Well, let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year. And I hope your new home is a warm, welcome and happy place. I remember 'Wayne's World' and the "Car-kabob". I also know that Wayne's home town of Aurora was a parody of the Toronto suburb of Scarborough - or Scarberia as some Toronto downtowners and anyone not from Scarborough like to call it - shwing! They also voted overwhelmingly for Rob -er, Doug Ford in the last municipal elections - the brotherly trade off is a little complicated to explain. But you did bring up the subject of not so beloved mayors. Doug (ever his brothers keeper - or clone) did not win the mayor's chair by the way. I love the light up electric look of your composition. I am very fond of primary and bright colours I think you know. There is just something magical about city lights captured by the cool eye of a camera. Perhaps because camera images are frozen time and they convey light that is frozen and not in motion as we normally perceive it.
Okay, so I'm not the first. Sigh.
Happy New Year to you! Love the pic and the description of your new residence. Sounds intriguing with all the musicians and artists of other sorts. I wish you the best for the new year in a new place!
Sounds like an exciting and stimulating place to be. Best wishes for a brand new year!
Absolutely interesting and full of interest point !!
Happy new year my friend. God bless.
Happy new year to you in your new home. Great description. Xxx
Happy new year and new digs, Chip; I hope it proves fruitful for you and Corey. It sounds like there are distinct possibilities!
Happy new year, indeed, and congrats on the new digs! Hopefully being around a number of artists will be more pleasant than the "interesting" confines of former days?
The very best in the new year ahead and it sounds like you feel more 'at home' now:) very good luck in your new home and place!
fabulous
Love this New Year's post---it's full of color and life, which then gives the leads into a kind of hope for great things. Cool that you've made a move; hope it turns out to be just the right place. Chicago still calls me and one of these days I'm comin back!!
Very beautiful manipulation. I wish you a happy new Year in your new home :-)
I'm glad you and Corey found a good place, free of the worst bits of your former accommodations. I've done a bit of random street viewing in the neighborhood, and it looks nice. It's got a comfortable vibe ... I like what I see. I hope Berwyn is good to you both! Your artwork is wonderful, btw. I like the glowing calendar, the spin-and-jiggle-ish lights, the energy of the night scene. Congratulations! :)