Eric Kim's Chicago Visual Analysis

Eric Kim’s Chicago, 2013 is a collection of psychological feelings that have been captured in one instance of time. Initially giving the image of a busy working man, the subject featured in this picture is a model of the average working man. Taking a look at the surroundings, the businessman’s true mentality begins to peak. This man is exhausted, stressed, and lonely. Despite all of these characteristics, this picture still gives encouragement and inspiration in an unusual way, which is what the author, Kim, intended. This picture is more than a reflection through a window, but a reflection of this man’s life which revolves around his tiring job. The picture shows that even through exhaustion and loneliness, hope can always be found if searched
Exhaustion can first be seen in the expression the man is wearing on his face. His eyes are focused and he has a dead stare looking ahead. Exhaustion is exhibited through the man’s attire as well. The man, who is wearing a suit and appears to be on a break from work, gives an image that everyone who has had a job can relate to. Work can be exhausting. The man’s tie is blown over his shoulder, and the man has seemed to just leave the positioning untouched and just continued eating his food. His tie is crooked, he is wearing a suit, and he isn’t talking to anyone, suggesting that maybe he is on break from work and is eating in a rush. The man’s attire suggests that he is on a lunch break from work, which could explain his rush to eat his food, and his stressed appearance. This anonymous work man has a gray, receding hairline, indicating the amount of stress this man is under. There is a sign that is featured above the man’s head advertising the restaurant's food, but the only visible words in the sign read “Ya gotta get it”, which could resemble the man’s workplace the constant push on the man for more. His dead, outlooking stare looks as if he sees someone outside the store he is in, or that he is waiting for someone to arrive and join
Kim’s photograph of this man, although creating a sense of gloom and exhaustion, gives strength and encouragement. The initial thoughts of this picture include thoughts of depression and fatigue, but this picture was taken to re-inspire the people who have felt this same exact way. The title of series of photographs that this picture belongs in is an “assignment to re-energize and re-inspire.” The man’s facial expression may look tired and angry, but it also looks determined. This man could be determined to finish his food while on break from work, to get back to work, or just to finish the food in general. The same sign above the man’s head reading “Ya gotta get it” that could be taken as a stress trigger, could also be interpreted as motivation for the man to get through the rest of the day, a sense of desire to want more and work harder. The sign could be the whole reason that the man chose to eat at that particular restaurant. There are also many empty spaces that are visible in the reflection across the street. These