A picture can say a thousand words. The picture above is an excellent example of this, and at the same time, an even better illustration of both the limitations of technology and the critical need for context.
Technology-wise, I am of course referring to the lousy picture quality. Less easily appreciated is the weird time lapse inherent to subpar digital camera technology. When I ‘took’ the picture, wing nut-boy was actively mugging into my camera/phone, by the time the capture actually took place, he had turned away towards other pursuits. Perhaps he was answering the telephone in his mind or channeling more messages from the Salt Masters of Gort.
What about this limitation of technology? First off, even with the suggestion of movement imparted by shitty camera technology, there was simply no way to capture the genuine fervor with which he was cutting the cement and urine rug of Market Street. The word passionate comes to mind, and is quickly dismissed as inadequate. The word frenzy is better. I will be returning to this subject in my next post.
I would also like to take a second to describe the outfit. He is wearing a straw bonnet, backless puffy dress and an inflatable ostrich costume (no, no, no…don’t say it, I know what it looks like in the picture). To really appreciate the ostrich costume, look here. I believe this is the exact make and model.
What do I mean by context? Well, the picture told a thousand words, standard short short story length. But the reality was running more towards the novella.
What do I mean by context? Well, the picture told a thousand words, standard short short story length. But the reality was running more towards the novella.
I am a truly jaded San Fran street kook aficionado, but I actually laughed heartily at this scene, based on what was just outside of the camera frame. First off, Frank Chu was presiding. I would categorize him as the Winston Churchill of the San Francisco street kook scene. Truly, he is an institution. Easily half the city will know who you are talking about if you say 12 Galaxies. For more on frank, go here.
Who is also outside of the camera frame is the attentive audience of 50+ people. Also, out of frame, is the reasonably talented funk blues combo of street musicians who are, a. providing the music for wing nut boys bannanarama dance-a-thon, and b. being completely upstaged by same.
Our dance master has captivated their audience and the band will be lucky to get $20 to go towards the heroine necessary to maintain them at their current level of funkaliciousness. The looks they are giving him indicate that whatever proceeds accrue will be used to provide the lime necessary to quickly decompose him in the nearest available non-descript roadside ditch.
BTW, by dancing in proximity, he has completely illegitimated them as artists. My nearly uncontrollable laughter is based largely on the absurdity of the scene but contains distinct undertones of schadenfreude.
BTW, by dancing in proximity, he has completely illegitimated them as artists. My nearly uncontrollable laughter is based largely on the absurdity of the scene but contains distinct undertones of schadenfreude.
I will be talking about SF Street Kooks in the coming weeks.
