I've always marveled at what our world was like back then. That you could walk into a school to do anything short of contracted electrical work blows my mind. That you, Howie, could walk in and PHOTOGRAPH every kid is inconceivable. I guess that is why I love my print of yours so much; because it would be impossible today.
I once found a barefoot kid walking in the snow one morning on the north side wearing only a shirt. I threw him in my truck (can you imagine putting a strange boy in your truck today?) and drove him to his school.
I just walked into the office and explained the situation to the office people and they understood the situation. They thanked me and assured me they would clothe him.
Today I would only have the option of FINDING a fucking pay phone, calling the police, and waiting for Chicago's finest to come give me side-eye.
Yes, John, exactly, what I could do back then! In suburb growing up, even at 5 years old, I accompanied by perhaps 7 year old sibling, or neighbor children could walk the 7 blocks to school without adult supervision. That is how it was. We also played outside in the neighborhood on our own. We just were supposed to be home by dark.
I did once get approached by a police detective in Chicago - while I was photographing a child in an alley- in the Wrigglyville neighborhood. I had the parents permission. That was in the late 1980's or 1990. Understandable of course, he would be concerned. I explained my project - and so did the little girl I was working with. The detective left. Nowadays would he have left? Thinking about all this - I shudder.
Quoting You: I wanted my 'Days of the Week' photographs to bring a weirdly satisfying echo of memory to the viewer. -- You succeeded in bringing a satisfying echo of memory to this viewer.
I always loved those pictures, not only for their dreamlike atmosphere, but also for the light.
I grew up in Germany, and as I left to study in Chicago,(88-92) a city that at that time felt more like an enormous village to me, not many tourists yet, so many wonderful locations probably long gone, the first thing I noticed was the vast sky, the beautiful light.
My major started out as photography, but gradually shifted to painting. Still, I spent most of my babysitting money at camerawork on Wabash. I still take pictures, but once I left I was never able to achieve the same kind of light ever again. I have not returned to Chicago since the last time I visited you in 95. Probably wouldn't recognize the city.
As for everything else mentioned below, I remember walking to school alone, to the park and taking the subway, actually wait, It used to be the Strassenbahn, above ground then. There was so much more freedom. But I never liked school, even though my handwriting was fine...
Silvia, And... I used to grumble about the Chicago light! - it seemed just as I was ready to take a photo - a bank of clouds would interfere.
I have not been back to Chicago in over 20 years, Though I am in touch with a variety of people I met there - many have moved to other regions...countries.
Sometimes I have taken a stroll with Google Street maps visit neighborhoods I used to live in. My Rogers Park block - Arthur Ave, in Chicago, did not seem to have changed the last time I checked.
I've always marveled at what our world was like back then. That you could walk into a school to do anything short of contracted electrical work blows my mind. That you, Howie, could walk in and PHOTOGRAPH every kid is inconceivable. I guess that is why I love my print of yours so much; because it would be impossible today.
I once found a barefoot kid walking in the snow one morning on the north side wearing only a shirt. I threw him in my truck (can you imagine putting a strange boy in your truck today?) and drove him to his school.
I just walked into the office and explained the situation to the office people and they understood the situation. They thanked me and assured me they would clothe him.
Today I would only have the option of FINDING a fucking pay phone, calling the police, and waiting for Chicago's finest to come give me side-eye.
Yes, John, exactly, what I could do back then! In suburb growing up, even at 5 years old, I accompanied by perhaps 7 year old sibling, or neighbor children could walk the 7 blocks to school without adult supervision. That is how it was. We also played outside in the neighborhood on our own. We just were supposed to be home by dark.
I did once get approached by a police detective in Chicago - while I was photographing a child in an alley- in the Wrigglyville neighborhood. I had the parents permission. That was in the late 1980's or 1990. Understandable of course, he would be concerned. I explained my project - and so did the little girl I was working with. The detective left. Nowadays would he have left? Thinking about all this - I shudder.
I'm taking a cue from you. I think Substack is a much better place to park my writings than where I have been parking them.
Let me know what you think.
https://therealjohnweeks.substack.com/p/irian-jaya
I will. Check messenger in FB later - after I read your blog entry.
Quoting You: I wanted my 'Days of the Week' photographs to bring a weirdly satisfying echo of memory to the viewer. -- You succeeded in bringing a satisfying echo of memory to this viewer.
I always loved those pictures, not only for their dreamlike atmosphere, but also for the light.
I grew up in Germany, and as I left to study in Chicago,(88-92) a city that at that time felt more like an enormous village to me, not many tourists yet, so many wonderful locations probably long gone, the first thing I noticed was the vast sky, the beautiful light.
My major started out as photography, but gradually shifted to painting. Still, I spent most of my babysitting money at camerawork on Wabash. I still take pictures, but once I left I was never able to achieve the same kind of light ever again. I have not returned to Chicago since the last time I visited you in 95. Probably wouldn't recognize the city.
As for everything else mentioned below, I remember walking to school alone, to the park and taking the subway, actually wait, It used to be the Strassenbahn, above ground then. There was so much more freedom. But I never liked school, even though my handwriting was fine...
Silvia, And... I used to grumble about the Chicago light! - it seemed just as I was ready to take a photo - a bank of clouds would interfere.
I have not been back to Chicago in over 20 years, Though I am in touch with a variety of people I met there - many have moved to other regions...countries.
Sometimes I have taken a stroll with Google Street maps visit neighborhoods I used to live in. My Rogers Park block - Arthur Ave, in Chicago, did not seem to have changed the last time I checked.