Podium in wait

I’m not too enthused that this year’s political season coming, but I can’t help but post this photo of a very presidential-looking speaking space. It’s not modern as much as it is a throwback to a place someone like Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt would deliver an important talk. It’s like the room should be filled with top hats, coattails and canes. I thought it looked like a painting.

Purchase a print of this photo

Hotel lobby floor

It’s simply one of the best spaces in Chicago. I used to come here and just sit around for 20 minutes while on my way to the Art Institute. My time is less throwaway these days, but I did take a good hour to find some decent angles in my most recent trip to the Palmer House’s lobby. I may post a few more in coming days. I haven’t decided. Sadly, this could be my last visit for a while.

Buy this photo

Singers in the Lacquer

I’ve been stopped by more and more people in recent days asking me to take their picture. This rarely happens to me. I think the tripod I carry might scare them out of asking. Maybe it looks like I’m too engrossed in what I’m doing with my camera? Lately I’ve had more requests, and I always say yes when asked.

This photo I asked to take. As I made my way through the Palmer House I met a mother and her two daughters in the Empire Room. They told me the Red Lacquer Room (pronounced LOCKER, I think) on the fourth floor was even better, so I eventually made my way in its direction. As I entered I was surprised to find the two girls running around having the time of their lives. Mom happened to be there too, I just didn’t see her at first due to the commotion. Olivia and Erin were the kids names, I think. All of the running around in this gorgeous empty room lent some surreal atmosphere. After a few minutes the two girls agreed to pose as if they were addressing the mic at the opposite end of the room. The end result retains that odd feel of having free reign over this perfect space.

Buy this photo

Up in the corner

I broke my own rule for the second time in a week. Maybe it’s the staircases. Recently I said I would rather not post images from the same place on successive days, but setting up the walk-up to The Empire Room as I did on Sunday means to me that I need to deliver an Empire Room image. It’s not an obligation kind of thing, it’s just how I sold it. After recapping the journey to the room I myself would like to go back inside. Let’s do so.

THE EMPIRE ROOM, as the sign outside shouts in all caps, is bold and dominating. It looks like the kind of place in which a president should speak to his vast cadre of same-minded constituents – if they actually had something to say. It almost surrenders to this buttoned-up status quo, but it is gold and garish. I found a corner, got up on one of the three stages and let the space stretch up behind me overhead. I believe this summarizes the place as best as possible. While it is of the establishment it simultaneously pushes the volume just past a listenable decibel – expensive, yet artfully excessive. Maybe this explains why presidents stay in this hotel when they visit Chicago, but The Empire Room itself hosts musical acts and performances.

Buy this photo

To The Empire

When you look up in the Palmer House you’re transported to another place. I’m not sure what or where it is, but it could be Cambodia. It reminds me of the end of Apocalypse Now – way up the river. But that could just be the potted ferns and all the color. Oh, and the dudes with the candles on their heads.

Two of these statues guard the staircase to The Empire Room, or as they spell it: THE EMPIRE ROOM – which sounds like it should be in New York. They’re very imposing. It makes you a little bit worrisome about climbing the staircase to the room, but it’s open. When you turn the doorknob you peek over your shoulder, because you’re surprised it opens. Nobody notices down below. You can go in. You can walk around. You can take photos.

Buy this photo