Bernd and Hilla Becher revolutionized the world of photography with their meticulous documentation of industrial architecture.
Their captivating images, often presented in grids, highlight the beauty and complexity of structures like water towers and gas holders, showcasing a vanishing world.
Over four decades, this German duo traveled across Europe and North America, capturing the essence of industrial sites that tell stories of a bygone era.
The Bechers’ work transcends mere photography; it serves as a historical archive and an artistic exploration of form and function.
Their unique approach combines a scientific eye with artistic sensibility, resulting in powerful visual narratives that resonate with viewers.
Recognized with prestigious awards, including the Erasmus Prize and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, their contributions to art and education remain influential.
Delving into their important works reveals not just the structures they photographed but the deep connection between art and society.
1. Cooling Tower (1967)
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Cooling Tower embodies Bernd and Hilla Becher’s signature approach to industrial architecture photography.
This captivating image showcases a wooden cooling tower, framed against a grey sky in stark black and white. The structure tapers slightly toward the middle and features a ladder that ascends to its top.
The Bechers carefully isolated the tower from its surroundings, allowing viewers to focus on its formal properties. Their technique involved using a large-format camera to capture the tower in clear detail.
This artwork highlights the Bechers’ objectivity by presenting the cooling tower without romanticism or distortion.
3. Pitheads (1974)
“Pitheads” represents a pivotal series in the Bechers’ exploration of industrial architecture. This collection photographs coal mine headframes, emphasizing their towering structures against expansive skies.
Each image captures the unique characteristics and engineering details, showcasing varying designs across regions.
The Bechers employed their trademark grid format, allowing viewers to compare different headframes side by side. This presentation not only highlights individual styles but also reflects common industrial themes inherent in mining.
By documenting these monumental structures, the duo preserved important aspects of industrial history, offering a visual commentary on their decline.
3. Zimmermann Coal Co., Ravine, Schuylkill County (1978)
Zimmermann Coal Co. stands out as a striking example of industrial architecture captured by Bernd and Hilla Becher.
This 1978 photograph emphasizes the handbuilt tipple used for loading and transporting coal, showcasing its wooden supports arranged at various angles, hinting at instability.
The design illustrates the ingenuity of independent miners who constructed such structures during the era following the Great Depression.
The image is cropped to spotlight the tipple, while the hills of Pennsylvania and piles of coal surround the structure.
This representation reflects the unique geology of the area, highlighting the specific challenges and characteristics of coal mining in Schuylkill County.
Each detail in the photograph serves to document a fading aspect of industrial history, reiterating the Bechers’ commitment to preserving this world through their meticulous work.
4. Blast Furnaces Sequence (1970-80s)
Source: artgallery.nsw.gov.au
“Blast Furnaces Sequence” is a notable series by Bernd and Hilla Becher, showcasing their unique approach to industrial architecture.
Each image presents a blast furnace isolated against a minimal backdrop, emphasizing its structural form.
Through this meticulous process, the Bechers captured these metal-smelting giants from multiple angles, including selections at forty-five-degree intervals.
“Blast Furnaces Sequence” transforms utilitarian structures into captivating art pieces. This series reflects the Bechers’ commitment to documenting disappearing industrial landscapes, preserving a visual record of their historical significance.
With their camera, they elevate these furnaces beyond their functional roles, highlighting their aesthetic qualities in exquisite detail.
This work not only contributes to our understanding of industrial architecture but also showcases their enduring influence on the art world.
5. Industrial Facades Typology (1984-94)
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Industrial Facades Typology showcases the Bechers’ keen eye for architectural detail through a series of tall, narrow structures.
These photographs typically illustrate industrial buildings constructed mostly in brick, framed by iron skeletons that form intricate grids across their facades.
Each image captures a frontal perspective, emphasizing similarities and differences in form against a muted grey sky.
The series reveals how buildings respond to the demands for affordability and durability while often masking their true functions.
By presenting these facades with minimal context, the Bechers evoke a sense of mystery, encouraging viewers to explore the aesthetic qualities of these often-overlooked structures.
The Bechers meticulously document this unique typology, inviting deeper scrutiny that uncovers the nuances of industrial architecture.
6. Gas Tanks (1963-92)
Source: wikiart.org
Gas tanks stand out as a prime example of Bernd and Hilla Becher’s typological approach to industrial structures. Capturing spherical gas holders throughout Europe, these images showcase the sheer scale and design of these vital installations.
Each tank, made of steel and elevated on straight pylons, holds significant volumes of liquefied or compressed gases.
Their work emphasizes aesthetic qualities, inviting viewers to notice the staining on the exterior surfaces and the varying configurations of skeletal staircases.
Grouping these tanks together draws attention to their unique characteristics while reinforcing their functional purpose.
Presenting them as almost scientific specimens, the Bechers maintain an objective perspective without imposing personal interpretations.
