Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people about Chicago neighborhoods. I’ve tried to absorb opinions and impressions of these social territories because their names give nothing away: Pilsen, Logan Square, Bucktown, UK Village, Roscoe Village.
I’ve spent the most time in Ukrainian Village and Logan Square, but with the cold it’s hard to get a feel for the neighborhoods. Trying to read up on them on-line isn’t any easier. A neighborhood’s mood is so subjective even if someone bothers to take time and try and describe something they end up unhelpful and sounding like this:
Wicker Park = hipsters, bars, music, medium crime
Buck Town = rich version of Wicker Park
Lincoln Park = Buck Town – Hipsters + (Chads and Trixies) – Crime
Lakeview = older version of Lincoln Park
Humbolt Park = Wicker Park + Gangs – Bars
Uptown = Wicker Park + Crime
River North = River West = Loop = South Loop = Old Town = $$$$$ Source
So I was really glad to have come across I Am Chicago, a street corner photography project that follows a simple plan:
We set up a portable, natural-light studio on Chicago’s neighborhood corners. We spend a day there documenting the characters of the city by inviting all who pass by to step into our studio. We take full-body portraits of them to record the exact way they have presented themselves to the streets on that given day, brown paper bags and all. Some strut, some smile, some grill, some glare, some frown…
It’s not far enough along in the project to be a look book for the whole city, but there’s enough there to show a wide range of the neighborly characters you may meet walking these streets.
Comments
When your dad and I were growing up in Chicago’s southside, neighborhoods were defined by what church or school you attended. St Thomas More:Tommy More, St. Dennis:Dennis. Dem dickheads frum over dare cross Kedzie, and St.Bedes. Dem rich kids from da odder side of Pulaski!
Today I think you are describing urban areas, were people live, work or play. There’s no sense of belonging to or protecting the families and histories of real neighbors; the O’Donnells, the Cuvalas, the Collins or the Foxes and the Gleasons or the Murphys! Da HOOD
That’s a good point. These names refer to huge areas relative to street level, at least a few square miles each. Hardly the close knit communities I’ve heard so much about from you and Pop.
I’m thinking a lot about you two though as I spend time with Gram and aunt Col. In a lot of ways I haven’t moved at all!
Kevin, this is your CHICAGO cousin Nikki. I am born and raised, SouthWEST side of Chicago (SW, not S like our dads grew up, because my mom and dad headed west of the airport, Midway that is, not O’Hare). I have enjoyed living in other cities and states, but my heart always ached for Chicago and my tummy always grumbled for real pizza, hot dogs, combos… (you get the point).
Neighborhoods are still alive and well. Each has it’s own unique feel, from “Bridgeport to Beverly from Midway to Shouth Shore, we’re the southsdie Irish and we’ll sign it out once more!” It’s the Chads and Trixies that moved in from Naperville and Oswego who ruin it for the rest of us. Today though, I appreciate their sushi, thai, and wine bars when I need a change of pace from my shot, beer and slice of pizza places.
I love that you are in Chicago and getting to enjoy time with Rosie. I’d love to catch up and tell you all about the different neighborhoods. The one thing I can tell you though is that there are truly two cities within this one great city of neighborhoods, the northside and the southside. We are the city that works and God pray that the residency requirement never goes away. Too much all at once? Call me!