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21
Noir – a feeling, mood, a sur-reallity. The big blanket of night
softens the ugliness of the big city.. Consider the one called Los
Angeles. Natural beauty ruined by three generations of cheap stucco
housing and vast urban sprawl.
New York – older, better to look at, but far too intense during the day.
When night falls, the rat race slows to a crawl. Even the street
people are hidden away, curled up in the doorways and the unlit
alleyways they call home.
Most everyone is home. Look up into the windows and see the light of
the flickering TV’s. They think this will make them feel safe, but
their dreams are always disturbed by the news and crime shows they
watch before they sleep. They fear the night, but as we night crawlers
know, that is when life in the city is most free. With the roads and
streets clear of people, we enjoy the ease of getting around in a
smooth and steady motion. We breathe easier with the aroma of night
blooming Jasmine filling the air.
The mystery writers get it and develop their stories around it. And
the music — can you hear it? Miles, Monk, and now, John Beasley. They
say a picture tells a thousand words, 'Round Midnight says it all.
We are the creators of the dreams. Although we come from different
backgrounds, we share the same oneness with the night. A love for the
city and the urban landscape. We share our observations with each
other and those who want to look, read, and listen.
Experience the city at night through us, without leaving the safety of
your seat.
Urban Noir NY/LA
Photos and Text: ©Helen K. Garber
