Summer: The Elixir of Life

(Note: In line with Coffeestops 2.0, we would like to introduce you to our new series of ‘Coffeesnoops!’ In this series, our ‘CoffeeBrewers’ will pursue our self-chosen assignments. These servings would be longer and much richer in nature, when compared to their counterparts. So sit back, sniff the coffee and enjoy!)

Summer Time Brimming With Activity

Witnessing all 4 sessions in Ann Arbor has shown me one thing: the American life, in general, is cyclical. Ironically, it first starts with the process of decay. Life during the fall is like rushing to savour the residues of summer – topless men and bikini cladded women will conquer the green pastures, soaking the wilting sun; customers will flock the outdoors of most diners, hoping to savour the last bearable caressing of the chilly winds etc. Then comes death. The sheer brute force of winter literally forces the civilization to a standstill – no more bikini babes, no more annoying kids annexing the pathways, no more smiley warm sunshines; just a constant shiver through the cold. At the end of what seems like a long torturous death, sprouts tinkering signs of life. Waltzes of spring starts thawing the layers of snow; people start emerging from their hideouts (usually fatter than they were before) and the world starts spinning again. It won’t be for long before summer comes knocking at everyone’s doorsteps – lo and behold…

The MAMA is back in the house!

Armed with my new precious baby (Canon PowerShot G10) with the sun blazing ferociously (33-35 Degrees Celcius) above Chicago’s skyline, I decided to hog the Jackson Park Express (CTA Bus No. 6) to the Millennium Park, the center of attraction for families and tourists alike during the exciting Chicago summer. My aim was to capture the other side of Chicago – the side of life that flows seamlessly after the ebbing months of winter. More so, I wish to capture the nuances that exists within the complex demographics of the Chicago urban setting.

An Invisible Force that Binds Us Together

It is said that when living in the city, it’s all about the facade – the fast paced, impatient setting life that catalyze a “Me, Myself and I” syndrome – smiles are pretentious, greetings are only for politeness sake, and everything else is none of my business. I set to water down this stereotype or at least attempt to show that the urban dwellings of Chicago is not distilled to mere towering skyscrapers, endless grids of roads plus railways and a huge blue lake. There is more to that than meets the eyes. Beneath those millions of bobbling heads that cross Michigan Avenue everyday and under the gaze of grey impersonal concrete fortresses, there lies a small invisible force binds these people together.

Enjoying the Chicago Blues

This peculiar timid force is responsible for sea of people that lie on the verdant grass in Grant Park, listening to the feet tapping symphonies of the Chicago Blues; the few people who spare a change for the homeless who beg beside the street; or the kind and emphatic help that was provided to tourist who have clearly lost their way under the web of frantic pursuits of happiness. These moments often go unnoticed not because people don’t care. It’s because the world spins too fast, especially in Chicago that we never stop for a moment to look and fully comprehend the unfolding narratives around us. These vital pulse of humane gestures escape us and are often forgotten or taken for granted. 

I want to freeze those moments, so we will never forget what makes us human.

Crown Fountain Spouting Water

Such endeavor lead me to the Crown Fountain in the Millennium Park. Two 15.2 meters glass towers that face each other at the opposing ends of a shallow reflecting pool, this brainchild of Jaume Plensa projects video images of a myriad of Chicago citizens at its LED screens. It revolves around the concept of mythological beings, which were designed with open mouths to allow the spouting of water – the symbol of life. Isn’t this apt? Under the crucifying heat of an intense sun, the convergence point of summer-folks Chicagoans is also the “Elixir of Life” – a place to cool themselves from the scouring heat. 

Cooling Under the Crown Fountain

The first thing that caught my eyes was the diversity that exist in just that small space alone. They weren’t just Chicagoans from all walks of life but also tourists from different source of nationalities. It was akin to the United Nations on a public bathing expedition. There were Indians, Hispanics, Japanese, Chinese (but no Malaysians though…Singaporeans got LAH!) etc. In just five minutes around the Crown Fountain, I would have easily encountered the familiar Tamil to the nowadays ubiquitous Mandarin. “Rojak gile!” as my Malaysian mates would say.

Age Barrier Crumbles

I always had the impression that such running-under-the-water-to-cool-yourself-in-public activity is only meant for kids or whoever that feels that they are young at heart. But I guess I was wrong. The fuming sun did not only melt the snow away but also the age barrier that once formed the simple hierarchical conduct: the kids run wild while the parents police the child. At the Crown Fountain, everybody is a child.

A Father Scooping His Daughter Into the Water

“AHHHH!” the high pitched squeal of delight as a father scoops his child and leads her to the pouring fountain. Not long after that: “Oh my God! NOOOO!!” screams a boy in his teens as his older brother and sister forces him into the water. 

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