“We photographed water towers and furnaces because they are honest, they are functional, and they reflect what they do – that is what we liked.”
—Bernd & Hilla Becher
Iconic, austere, and rigorously standardized, Hilla and Bernd Bechers’ images of a fading industrial past have earned their place within the canon of photography. Capturing over 200 industrial structures across Europe and North America, the pair developed a consistent practice that allowed a homogenous view of architecture to naturally emerge, while also rendering their subtleties visible. To the Bechers, the camera existed as an honest and functional tool to establish their typologies. Arranged in grids, or in rows, such as the present work, this structured view reinforces the orderly approach of their practice and created a structure akin to their subject matter. The uniform approach of the same overcast lighting, angles, and size established a consistent taxonomy that is utterly timeless. Though the individual water tower may appear unremarkable, the Bechers’ systematic documentation of industrial architecture creates a compelling group portrait that has influenced a new generation of photographers. The couples’ work continues to captivate still in shows such as the 2022 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
