32 thoughts on “#WordlessWednesday: On the Corner of Turk and Ellis”
The image reminds me so much of Soho in London during the 1970s and early 1980s, Rob. It’s such a different place now, although there are small parts that remain the same. For many, these were exciting yet often dangerous places. The guy on the floor looks like he’s been there a while. And does the running guy have a weapon in his hand?
This is an astute comment, Hugh. Were the cities of our youth seedier, darker, and more dangerous? The Docks and St. Marks Place in New York was a rush of adrenalin and all of San Francisco in the 1980s. San Francisco was living up to its reputation as a bordello when I moved here. It was fun until people started dying and by the mid-1980’s it was a place of oppression and grief. The guy on the floor is scrounging for crack, and the kid on the skateboard has a bat. I don’t know if these images are illustrations or the whole story. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You always make me think.
I’m glad my comment made you think, Rob. I always love comments like that.
When I first moved to London in 1986, gay bars and clubs were often in parts of the city thought to be dangerous and which many saw as forgotten places. Today, many of those places now have buildings where apartments can sell for upwards of seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds – and that’s just for a one-bedroom apartment. Over the last forty years, the gay village has moved around – almost as if property developers pushed it out. Many of the clubs and bars I visited have long gone. I still have the memories, though, many of which were happy ones.
Thank’s Hugh. The first time I went to a gay bar I had to walk into a dark alley and knock on the door. So, in a sense, cities were darker and more dangerous in 60’s and 70’s for people in the LGBTQ community. The other interesting thing about the gay bars in Charleston is they were owned by straight people who belonged to some kind Mafia like gamg.
Same here, Rob. Many of the gay bars were owned by straight people who saw just how powerful and lucrative the pink pound was. Some bars were gay for the first few hours, then closed and became straight for a few hours. I don’t think that happens anymore, but I could be wrong.
Almost five decades of gradual acceptance has moved us from the darkness to the light. I think the author John Rechy, who wrote ‘City of Night’ coined the phrase ‘sexual outlaw’ to describe how we lived before gay liberation. Something was exciting about it, but it was a system of oppression designed to destroy us.
I think being creative is a great focus right now. It absorbs our attention and allows us to step outside the world and relax. I hope it feels that way for you. 🙂
It’s interesting to work on a project in VR, especially after ten years of therapy. The virtual plot of ‘land’ I use for staging the images is like an extension of my subconscious; different aspects of myself emerge to tell a different story. The primary benefit of treatment in this regard is instead of competing for time as they were when I was getting sick, they are logging in as a team to build sets and tell stories. It’s like having a quantum mind. Which is my way of saying, it does. 🙂
The image reminds me so much of Soho in London during the 1970s and early 1980s, Rob. It’s such a different place now, although there are small parts that remain the same. For many, these were exciting yet often dangerous places. The guy on the floor looks like he’s been there a while. And does the running guy have a weapon in his hand?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an astute comment, Hugh. Were the cities of our youth seedier, darker, and more dangerous? The Docks and St. Marks Place in New York was a rush of adrenalin and all of San Francisco in the 1980s. San Francisco was living up to its reputation as a bordello when I moved here. It was fun until people started dying and by the mid-1980’s it was a place of oppression and grief. The guy on the floor is scrounging for crack, and the kid on the skateboard has a bat. I don’t know if these images are illustrations or the whole story. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You always make me think.
LikeLike
I’m glad my comment made you think, Rob. I always love comments like that.
When I first moved to London in 1986, gay bars and clubs were often in parts of the city thought to be dangerous and which many saw as forgotten places. Today, many of those places now have buildings where apartments can sell for upwards of seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds – and that’s just for a one-bedroom apartment. Over the last forty years, the gay village has moved around – almost as if property developers pushed it out. Many of the clubs and bars I visited have long gone. I still have the memories, though, many of which were happy ones.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank’s Hugh. The first time I went to a gay bar I had to walk into a dark alley and knock on the door. So, in a sense, cities were darker and more dangerous in 60’s and 70’s for people in the LGBTQ community. The other interesting thing about the gay bars in Charleston is they were owned by straight people who belonged to some kind Mafia like gamg.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Same here, Rob. Many of the gay bars were owned by straight people who saw just how powerful and lucrative the pink pound was. Some bars were gay for the first few hours, then closed and became straight for a few hours. I don’t think that happens anymore, but I could be wrong.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Almost five decades of gradual acceptance has moved us from the darkness to the light. I think the author John Rechy, who wrote ‘City of Night’ coined the phrase ‘sexual outlaw’ to describe how we lived before gay liberation. Something was exciting about it, but it was a system of oppression designed to destroy us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So much in this image, Robert. It fills me with questions. I love how you leave it up to the viewers imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m playing with visual narrative, letting light and shadow tell the story. It’s less arty fart than that — I hope. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think being creative is a great focus right now. It absorbs our attention and allows us to step outside the world and relax. I hope it feels that way for you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting to work on a project in VR, especially after ten years of therapy. The virtual plot of ‘land’ I use for staging the images is like an extension of my subconscious; different aspects of myself emerge to tell a different story. The primary benefit of treatment in this regard is instead of competing for time as they were when I was getting sick, they are logging in as a team to build sets and tell stories. It’s like having a quantum mind. Which is my way of saying, it does. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep creating. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have it now, great 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew! I’m glad it’s not naughty. 🙂
LikeLike
I definitely like it 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Willow! 🙂
LikeLike
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many stories combined in one picture. Great artwork, Rob!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bingo, That’s what I wanted Erika. I’m glad you enjoyed the image. Thank you for leaving a comment.
LikeLike
I did, Robert 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry Robert I have nothing to look at just the title 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I knew why. Thanks for stopping by Willow. If I figure out why I’ll let you know.
LikeLike
Thank you I’d appreciate that 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you cleared your cache? That sometimes helps.
LikeLike
Thank you I will try that 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if some weird algorithm decided the picture is naughty?
LikeLike
No it’s fine honest 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great picture, Rob. I like the fact the people are indistinct. It leave’s much to the imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie. I wanted the image to give the viewer a story to imagine. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Super image, Rob.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. I’m playing different styles of processing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here Mental Health Collaborative .
LikeLiked by 1 person