a city's embrace

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

[palinode]

Quite right on all points. You score 95%! 5% deducted because Picasso also saw the occasional rhombus.

[ginny]

I was going through my pictures yesterday and I found this little gem...

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2009/07/whoa.html

I was amazed by the lines made and the bright colors!

[Michelle]

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!

[~ kristina ~]

Isn't it inspiring to travel and see new things?

Fun shapes in my FIlL's garden in Ohio the other week -

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-father-in-laws-garden.html

[Marcie]

Here are a few oldies..but goodies. Just color..shape..line and form:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=395
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=587
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=641

[Puna]

hmmm...I like this challenge. I have a photo that is very linear, it's unlike a lot of photos that I take.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/07/july-22-all-that-glitters/

Looks like Chicago was fun!

[Tracey Clark]

nothing could possibly sum up the weekend like that Kate. Brilliant reflections of a fantastic weekend.

[shirley]

How about this one - I saw triangles in Boston:

http://shirleybehindthelens.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-shot-monday-quincy-market.html

[camerashymomma]

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.

[Kathy Winter]

Here's one I took on the downtown Tampa photowalk. It's a portion of a steel sculpture against a marble building.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathywinter/3759842244/

[maggie, dammit]

You stun me every time, my friend.

It was so good to finally grip your exquisite shapes.

[djbeat]

perhaps too explicit - but they are the things i love to see - repetitive lines, reflections & shadows.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3747444061/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3725189141/

glad blog.her went so well!

[claudia]

Here's a couple of my favorite shots from Scott Kelby's Photowalk in Minneapolis, not the ones I entered but still my favorites.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3743879359/in/set-72157621642640215/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3749315716/in/set-72157621642640215/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3750686223/in/set-72157621642640215/

[Jenny, Bloggess]

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.

[Rachel - A Southern Fairytale]

I cannot tell you how much I love this. I don't have the words to express the simple beauty.

[Ter]

Loved this picture I took in Boston.

http://www.terrises.com/photogalleries/Boston/slides/boston-09-10-06139.jpg

[Velma]

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.

[georgia]

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.

[georgia]

oops, i forgot my link.
:)
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2009/07/blocks-of-colour-balance-interplay.html

[djbeat]

shot this today water droplets from the kids water park - in front of downtown condos...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3764247729/in/photostream/

[darrah]

I love this challenge. I'm always mesmerized by line and shape and light. Here's one of my recent experiences with these elements:

http://artcetera.squarespace.com/artcetera/2009/6/28/amazing-things-happen-when-you-leave-the-house.html
(the first photo in particular)

[Heather]

I only wish I had more time in Chicago--I never made it to the museum or Millenium park, but I loved every minute I did have to wander the city. Here are a few I snapped on my first night there. http://heatherk.typepad.com/photography/2009/07/more-chicago.html

[Swedishskier]

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.

[singapore photographers]

great colour pic...