Seeing Shapes in Siouxland, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake

While driving about Siouxland I always enjoy looking at architecture. I have never taken an appreciation class, like is offered for art (although I never took one of those either) but enjoy the symmetry that is visually there. And I tend to like more traditional architecture than ultra modern, but it depends on the day, the amount of coffee I have consumed and my mood. Siouxland is defined by more traditional architecture than larger American cities having developed in those formative years of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when that architecture was popular. But it all has it’s place and it is nice to have a smorgasbord of building types to view. And maybe I just need to get out more.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Nature and man’s buildings on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, Tuesday, Oct. 30 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Repetition in arches at the Estelle Siebens Science Center on the campus of the Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, Tuesday, Oct. 30 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Light Play in Siouxland, Omaha, NE

Visiting the city of Omaha, NE, just south of Siouxland one can enjoy the urban environment without some of the hassle of much larger metropolis. And the light interacts differently with buildings there than it does in other cities I visit in and around the Siouxland area.

An architectural detail on a building near Old Market in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Nov. 7 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Soft light and a bit harsher light, although fall produces less of the latter with the sun occupying a different sector of the sky. I just enjoy the light play and how it interacts with these manmade structures and makes me ponder if the original architect really knew what would happen in such a scene as he/she were planning the design for this particular building, or if it was merely commerce and a commission to get something up that would become a warehouse, office building, or later formerly used buildings converted into loft apartments.

Afternoon light highlights one building and shades another near Old Market in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Nov. 7 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Neighborhood residents enjoy the sunshine near Old Market in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Nov. 7 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The architecture harkens an earlier era and gives a nice feel to this part of Omaha. And personally try to enjoy these simple pleasures, the interplay of light and shade, sometimes in snippets and fragments as I explore surrounding Siouxland areas.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Railing shadow and wall design near Old Market in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Nov. 7 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Finding Doorways in and out of Siouxland, Omaha, NE

During my visit to the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE, which is on the southern end of Siouxland, I find it great to walk around older constructed buildings. The archways and flooring and other touches that went into constructing buildings before “modern” architecture began popping up more and more I personally find intriguing. And this was something that struck me as I walked around the museum looking at beautiful artwork created centuries ago. The old saying I believe is, “When one door closes another one opens.” There is actually not many opening and closing doors in the museum, but as one walks around looking at the art, one knew a doorway would lead to another hall of filled with breathtaking pieces of art.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Doorways lead visitors to other areas of exploration at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Doorways lead visitors to other areas of exploration at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Doorways lead visitors to other areas of exploration at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Doorways lead visitors to other areas of exploration at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Doorways lead visitors to other areas of exploration at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, NE Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland’s Winter Sunshine, Le Mars

One thing I like about winter is the light that occurs late in the afternoon. Very directional and sharp. It’s another matter sometimes braving the elements to go out and photograph in it here in Siouxland. Especially when the wind is blowing at 20 mph or higher and the temperature without wind chill is 5 or 10 degrees. When I ended my excursion out the other day in Le Mars, Iowa, I walked around a bit in its downtown area. The older buildings have a lot of character and I love the rooflines. The hard directional light gives them a nice definition, and during winter, you don’t have to wait until 9 p.m. when it is even colder, to photograph them.

 

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa