Watch

Finding Beauty in Chicago

Creator:
Published:
December 12, 2023
January 31, 2022
Watch how photographer Matt Dunlap explores Chicago on a one wheel.

Photographer Matt Dunlap is an expert at seeking out beauty in new cities. Being immersed in the setting is essential to his work, and his preferred method of transportation reflects that — though it may surprise you.

“If you can explore a town and not have to walk, if you can be in the middle between walking and driving, to me, that's the best.”

Video Transcript

Meet Matt: photographer

(He films himself as he rides his Oneheel through Chicago, catching scenery of the city as he goes)

Matt Dunlap: One of my favorite things to do photo-wise or video-wise is, of course, explore places I've never been. Used to be I'd always be on my bike doing this, and you'd have to wear a helmet and sometimes Lycra, and I found a better way. And that better way came to me two years ago in the form of the Onewheel.

[Phone navigation voice] Turn left toward West Lasalle Drive.

(Matt rides through long tunnel)

Matt: It is the funnest way to see a town or city or explore something new. You can hit trails on it. You can blast down streets, sidewalks. You can get 15 miles an hour. Doesn't take too long to learn it.

If you ever see someone in the wild on one of these, and you're interested, ask them if you can test it out. Most people let you. You don't know how much fun they are and how useful they can be until you ride one. And what else do I got to say about this?

To me, if you can explore a town and not have to walk, because walking takes forever and it stinks. It sucks. Driving — you miss too much because you've got to pay attention, traffic, idiots, people on bikes. You've got to watch out for these things. So if you can be in the middle between walking and driving, to me, that's the best.

And it's just so much more immersive on a bike, a Onewheel, whatever it may be to me. You just hop off, take photo, take video, take it while you're moving, whatever you've got to do. It's just, it's a big thing of fun. Big thing of fun? Big bag of fun.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 12, 2023
January 31, 2022
On a related note...
"Thank You for the Music"

"Thank You for the Music"

Mary Grace Mangano

The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Mike Jordan Laskey

#GrottoChicago | 3 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

#GrottoChicago | 3 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

Grotto

Restoring Beauty to American Flags

Restoring Beauty to American Flags

Grotto

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

Laura MacLean Reynolds

Habitat for Humanity Transforms Communities

Habitat for Humanity Transforms Communities

Grotto

What My Nana Taught Me About Great Gift Giving

What My Nana Taught Me About Great Gift Giving

Megan Brown Czerwinski

This Startup is Redesigning the Bible

This Startup is Redesigning the Bible

Grotto

Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal All Year Round

Why You Should Keep a Gratitude Journal All Year Round

Emily Mae Mentock

How to Be a Hospitable Steward of the Earth

How to Be a Hospitable Steward of the Earth

Patrick Cruitt

Quick & Easy Tips for Finding the Best Deals

Quick & Easy Tips for Finding the Best Deals

Lauren Lawson

Feast Day of Mary Magdalene Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Feast Day of Mary Magdalene Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

What to Do if You're Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy

What to Do if You're Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy

Sarah Portner, LMSW

This licensed social worker shares the lessons she has learned from what gets women through unexpected pregnancies.

"Spring Practice"

"Spring Practice"

Judith Sornberger

Hair Stylist Gives Free Haircuts to Homeless in Her Community

Hair Stylist Gives Free Haircuts to Homeless in Her Community

Grotto

John Lewis and the Genius of Nonviolence

John Lewis and the Genius of Nonviolence

Eric Clayton

How to Start New Traditions With Your Spouse

How to Start New Traditions With Your Spouse

Mike Jordan Laskey

Finding Humor and Healing in Recovery

Finding Humor and Healing in Recovery

Grotto

Grotto's Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

Grotto's Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

Grotto

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

Marye Colleen Larme

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.