Shutter Sisters

a city’s embrace

By

On Sunday bloggers scattered — some to the airport, others to shop. Many ended up at the Art Institute of Chicago. I stood in front of Picasso’s Nude Under a Pine Tree as a couple approached.

I love this one, said the woman. Their eyes travelled over the canvas. She continued, speaking softly as though in a church. He didn’t see a nose or legs or breasts. He saw bodies and faces as shapes, as triangles and squares. And so that’s how he painted them.

In Chicago I couldn’t get enough of line and shape. Containers of electricity all standing poised, perhaps slightly forward, into the wind. We were all overwhelmed. There were tears, and there was delight and mischief. But most of all there was recognition.

I know you! I see you. Come over here. You are shaped like me.

Empty spaces smile, waiting to be filled.

+++

Today, think like Picasso. Show me photographs that crackle with line and shape — and not just explicitly. Blur your eyes from simple subjects and see blocks of colour, balance, interplay. And share!

Pictured above, clockwise l-r: Chicago reflected in the mirrorball; serenity at the Art Institute; downtown seen through an Institute window; the lovely Jenny the Bloggess.

Comments

  3. I love to see the images as you describe them , the way you use words makes me feel like I was there.
    It’s like learning a new language and taking off really dark glasses at the same time.
    I hope that makes sense to you!

  9. holy sh*t kate. that bean photo! holy holy. i’d blow that up real big for my wall if i could.
    and your words. yes, i can only imagine it was just like that. but in person. feeling that electricity through your heart would be exhilerating and yes, overwhelming.

    thanks for these images, they were just what i needed.

  14. I didn’t even recognize myself at first but I so love this picture. It perfectly captured the best of Blogher for me…both the city and the feeling of support and acceptance from so many amazing people. Thank you for this.

  17. After the overwhelming rush of sensory input from all the people I’ve met and the posts I’ve read and the thoughts I’ve had over the last 5 days, this was the first time I spontaneously burst into tears.

    Beautiful. Thank you.

  18. i love chicago!
    and i live just outside the city, so i am swooning over these fabulous images!

    here are some from my recent trip to the city.
    i took them specifically looking for interesting shapes and lines.

  23. Its so funny that you posted this. I was at the top of Mt. Antero on Saturday thinking about lines. The lines the mountains made in the horizon, the black lines drawn by the rain cloud two peaks away, and there were lines of green grass growing down one slope like water. It was outstanding.