Cole Thompson Photography

Grain Silos: Enduring Giants, Created by Man


Enduring Giants, Created by Man" is a study of grain silos, not as functional farm implements, but as objects of art.
America's plains are covered with grain silos. They are a central fixture of every small town and on every family farm;
but they are so common that people are unaware of their beauty. The purpose of this portfolio is to reveal that beauty.

When I created my first grain silo image, it immediately reminded me of the statues of Easter Island. Both stand alone,
emotionless and watching. I began to see the silos as I saw the Easter Island statues, as enduring giants who silently
watched as man scurried about, perhaps even with a slight grin as they observed our self-importance.

As I moved in closer, I began to notice the unique way in which light reflected from their torsos onto the adjacent
surfaces and how each hour transformed the same image into a different view. I saw intricate variations in the
seemingly homogenous materials from which they were built.

Grain silos are generally observed from a distance and seen solely as functional objects. Up close they bear no
resemblance to their distantly studied selves but are revealed as strong sculptures with stark contrasts and abstract
shapes. Up close they expose a beautiful and enduring permanence.