Picasso's Untitled Thing by Chipka
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Description
When I was a child, I discovered disappointment when I learned that Pablo Picasso’s famous gift to Chicago is neither lion nor baboon. When I was a child, I learned to mistrust art and the vision of artists when I heard that—perhaps—the famous gift from one artist to a city was the representation of a woman. I thought—and I still maintain—that she’d make a far better baboon wearing something Brigitte Bardot might have piled on top of her head, and I find it hilarious that there was speculation that the...thing...might possibly have represented the French actress. Colorful speculation has been laid to rest as it’s almost likely that the ant-eater-baboon-lion-playing-a-harpsichord-while-wearing-a-wig-as-she-dines-on-a-metronome statue, was actually inspired by a young French woman with a long neck and ponytail. I can’t remember her name, but I’m sure you can find it on Wikipedia, which leads me to my original point, Picasso’s untitled masterpiece is a wonderful piece of abstract metal, but I still maintain that it actually is an anteater-babboon-lion wearing a wig while playing a harpsichord and eating a metronome. It is art, after all, and art can mean whatever you say it means, just as long as you say it loud enough.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're all having a great week.
Comments (15)
rangeriderrichard
Cool shot! Looked like a baboon to me! I read your description before I took a close look at it though, so I might have been influenced to perceive it that way... looks again Nope, it's definitely a baboon ;)
Wolfenshire Online Now!
I see a bird. The hoatzin to be exact.
Wolfenshire Online Now!
Maybe even a vulture.
Faemike55
I'm not too sure as to what I see, but it is different for all we know, this may have been designed to insult Chicago, in a subtle way... or honor it
KatesFriend
I've had nightmares featuring this creature. I don't know much about art but I know what I like. #ivebeendrinking
CoreyBlack
Even though this sculpture was erected ten years before the first "Stars Wars" movie (Episode Whatever The Hell They're Now Calling It Retroactively), I've always kind of thought of it as being Darth Vader's mother Velma. I rather like that: Velma Vader. Of course I like your description better. But then taking a really good look at your picture just now (funny how when you live somewhere for over thirty years you stop paying as much attention to your surroundings), the thing really DOES look kind of like a baboon. A rusty baboon. Thank you for making me notice this thing again, As always, a great shot!
durleybeachbum
Hehe! Wonderful explanation, Chip, and I agree with your insights fully.
jendellas
It looks like a baboon to me but I can also see a character from the stage show the Lion King :o)))) x
MrsRatbag
Oh god, now I'm sure it's Velma Vader, Corey nailed it! LOL! Love what you've done with her... ;p
MrsRatbag
...and isn't her ribcage svelte and lovely?
kgb224
Outstanding work. God bless.
photosynthesis
Nice shot. I've never seen this before, but I'd definitely go with baboon or bird. When it comes to abstract art, the artist's original intention is only significant to art historians. For the rest of us, what really matters is whether we like it or not - it is whatever we perceive it to be...
treasureprints
Love your comments. My first impression was a baboon with wings.:)
weesel
I always thought it was 1. a horse-like thingie; 2. a joke on anyone who took it seriously. Then maybe the guy just needed glasses.
nikolais
A sad lion was my first impression
helanker
Or maybe Godzilla :-) She looks a bit emaciated :-)
anahata.c
well you really got engaged responses here---which I'm sure would've made Picasso smile. I remember when this thing went up, under the "old" Daley (hizzonner), and how there was this uproar that the city would dare put up such a "joke" of a statue when they could've erected a statue of Ernie Banks. And I got to see it before it rusted and took on its present patina. Also, I haven't seen enough Star Wars to have met Velma Vader. (That's really her name, lol? Velma Vader? Sounds like a name in a satirical novel!) But I agree with Corey and you and a few others that this is definitely a baboon. With some ocular problems. A baboon that's been cross-eyed long enough that his eyes just merged. On your photography, it's has stepped up a quantitative leap since you got a new camera---I assume this is with the new camera. If it's not, using the new one has effected how you use the old. It's like nothing changed in your photography, but the new instrument brought out details you just couldn't bring out with the old. Your photographic work is so enhanced now. The setting of the beast against those rusted girders is what Picasso wanted, but in your shot it really comes home. Esp with all your shadow and the heightened decay (rust, mold, whatever happens to all that metal). And the building lights blend right into her coloration. Fine work chip, incl your always scintillating reflection in words. And btw, there's a little twig in the lowest part of the shot---see it? That all-white sidewalk or whatever it is, with a brown thing on it? It looks like a sole fisherman on a boat...A whole new perspective. (That'd make the statue reeeally huge!) Fine work and writing as always.