it's all about contrast

Remnant of the snow from the day before, glimmering gray under the overcast sky versus the moist tropical warmth inside, generated by countless (and rusting) radiator panels and mist sprays high up on the glass walls; almost sickeningly intense pink of the fully-grown leaves versus the fresh lime green of the just spurted ones in the center; the fall of the once-affluent neighborhood surrounding the conservatory, evident in the peeling paints and rotting steps of beautifully designed houses of the old days. Everything about our visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory was about contrast. The stark contrast between the festive, frivolous atmosphere of the long line in front of the Marshall Fields' on State street to get into the store (or to see their holiday window display?) as we drove through downtown and the sparse visitors in the glass house consummated the list later on. It was the day after thanksgiving, the second biggest day of consumption in this country.
PB260603(psd)
Originally uploaded by uBookworm.