2.26.2010

Bernd and Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher documented the eroding industrial landscape of their native Germany throughout the late 1950s and into the 1960s.  Through their groupings of seemingly repetitive structures, we cannot help but see the distinct individual design in each, betraying the human influence in an apparent metallic wasteland.


Industrial Facades, 1978-1992


Their photos are truly documentary, devoid of agenda. So bleakly objective that any takeaway is solely subjective. Yet grouped as such, each individual structure seems to stand erect and proud of its particular quirkiness, as if, finally, through these photographs, they have been given their chance to shine.  

Winding Towers, Belgium, Germany 1971-1991
Water Towers, USA, 1988

Steel Storage Tank, 1960s
Posted by MRS
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3 comments:

  1. bbMarch 1, 2010 at 5:42 PM

    What great pictures!! Where did you find these? It is amazing how they draw you in and pretty soon you realize you have been staring at the same picture for five minutes. Nice find.

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  2. k9gardnerJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Yeah, these are really incredible. I want more. Maybe there's a book?

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  3. MRSJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Indeed, there are! A quick search on Amazon brings up a on the Bechers, plus a lot of similar stuff (Dusseldorf, etc.). It is easy to get lost in photography books.

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