Sometimes photography is not about the quality of the photo but rather about freezing a memory.
This post is about the memory. The photos I took are of substandard quality and I can give you a ton of excuses, but I wont, because that is not what this post is about.
This post is about the experience I had visiting The Thorne Rooms and one that I hope will encourage you to say:
" I have to go see this display on my own."
I decided to go visit the Art Institute in Chicago, on my most recent trip . While I had been to the Art Institute in the past (a long past) a recent photo I saw of a particular location at the Institute, intrigued me.
Therefore, it urged me to go and capture one of my own.
By the time I got into to the building and jumped through several hoops to get in (not going to bore you with the details), I had somewhat lost my enthusiasm about the whole idea of capturing this specific photo.
Hence, I moved about the building and different displays at a rather quick pace.
Until I hit The Thorne Rooms.
What an amazing display!
One that mesmerizes the viewer.
Room after room of "shadowboxes" built into the walls.
And inside those "shadowboxes"?
Intricate, miniature recreation of the interior of the 1930's homes.
You are probably wondering who created this display.
A little background:
"Narcissa Niblack Thorne, the creator of the Thorne Rooms, herself had a vivid imagination. In the 1930s, she assembled a group of skilled artisans in Chicago to create a series of intricate rooms on the minute scale of 1:12. With these interiors, she wanted to present a visual history of interior design that was both accurate and inspiring. The result is two parts fantasy, one part history—each room a shoe box–sized stage set awaiting viewers’ characters and plots."
I took these photos with three different cameras;Nikon Z7, Lumix Panasonic, & Samsung cellphone.
And if you can figure out which is which, more power to you.
If you are not able to go to the Art Institute but are still interested to see quality photos here's a link.
Want to learn more?
Here's a video discussion between Murray Moss and Ellenor Alcorn,on the
(source)
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What an amazing display. When I first started looking I couldn't decide if these were real rooms or some sort of model. There is obviously something intangible that raises a doubt but the details are so perfect you are not really sure. I suspect you could spend a lot of time looking at each one. Difficult to photograph too, so well done.
ReplyDeleteI would go back again just to see this display. The amount of work that went into them is beyond me. Just awe inspiring.
DeleteWhat an exhibit! And almost impossible to photograph, due to the glass. I had a similar experience at the Memphis Museum of History and it was very frustrating. You did a great job with it, though. Reminds me of walking through Biltmore. Being a Lumix lover, which one did you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks John. I really wish I had had my polarized filter with me to get rid of the glare. And wish I could also push all the other people away so as to have a clear shot. But fools will remain fools and wishes just remain wishes. This particular Lumix is a ZS60. Quite honestly not a favorite. But someone gifted me this camera so I am trying to like it :)
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