Living Spaces

Most of my photographs are of the natural world but as I frequently mention in this blog, I am fascinated by the color, texture, and form of the subject rather than the location. A photograph is not reality, it is a narrow representation of the photographer's perception of reality. The design of this building is postmodern industrial with traditional elements. This is location is called the "Hall of Flags" and it is a classroom and office building on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah.

Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University (UVU) is located in Orem, Utah, right next to Provo, Utah the home of Brigham Young University (BYU). Unlike the early pioneer origins of BYU, UVU was first established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School (CUVS) with the primary function of providing war production training and became a permanent state institution in 1947. As the school grew in size,  a campus was constructed in Provo, Utah on University Avenue. In 1963, the name of the school was changed to Utah Trade Technical Institute (Trade Tech). This is the name I first remember hearing. In 1987, as the school continued to develop, the name was changed again to Utah Technical College at Provo. Quoting from the History of UVU:

The institution was approved in 1966 to grant Associate of Applied Science degrees, in 1967 to offer general education courses, in 1971 to grant Associate of Science degrees (discontinued in 1974 and reinstated in 1981), and in 1987 to grant Associate of Arts degrees. With its expanded degree offerings, the institution’s name changed again to Utah Valley Community College in 1987. In 1993, the institution’s name changed to Utah Valley State College and the mission was expanded to include the offering of bachelor’s degrees. On July 1, 2008, the institution underwent another mission and name change to Utah Valley University and began offering master degree programs.

Utah Valley University has now become the largest university or college in the state of Utah.  In fact, the number of college students in Utah is almost as large as the population of Salt Lake City, the state's largest city. See "The number of college students in Utah is almost as large as Salt Lake City’s population."

Angles, Doors, and Windows After Piet Mondrian

This image has all the qualities of a painting by Piet Mondrian. The main difference is that the composition here has other than right angles. As I am walking around, I see in terms of negative and positive space. Each of the outlined areas in this image define their own composition. There is also a definite sense of tension between the dark carpet and the lighter space defined by the upper windows. You may think that you can take a photograph by randomly pointing your camera, but in order to have a memorable image, you actually have to feel the tension of what you see.

Check Me Out

While visiting the Utah Valley University library on campus during June, we found that they had only a skeletal staff. No bones about it, most of the University was deadly silent. We waited for some response but could not raise the dead. We wondered how the student staff could survive in such tomb-like surroundings.

Fabulous Color

We grow iris because we love the color and beauty of their flowers but also because the deer don't eat them. Because of our abundant rain this year, we have an impressive display of flowers, green lawns, and a lot of weeds.

Ravages of Time

As genealogists, we spend more time in cemeteries than the average person who does not work for a cemetery and of course, those who occupy the graves. It is sometimes hard to visit a cemetery because of the condition of the graves. Many older grave markers become so weathered that the original writing is either entirely gone or hard to read. But these markers are relatively new and look to be intentionally vandalized although it is possible that they were both installed incorrectly.

Flowers and Snow

With a lot of Spring snow, we are seeing some dramatic contrasts. This image illustrates the contrast between the snow on the mountains and the beautiful Spring flowers. We think the real first day of Spring was this day of sunshine.