Whilst undertaking research for part one of Identity and Place I came across an exhibition by the German conceptual artists and photographers, Bernd and Hilla Becher.

They took a large number if photographs of industrial buildings which they organised into grids.  They had observed that structures such as cooling towers, grain elevators and oil refineries, to name a few, had similarities, including the design detail. Although they always shot from a variety of angles their aim was to be objective. Shooting on overcast days allowed them to ensure that there were no deep shadows or highlights.

I find these images and the way they are presented absolutely stunning. I really like architectural photography, clean lines, balance and clarity, Bernd and Hilla seem to have captured all of that in abundance. They are beautiful to look at, even though the buildings themselves probably don’t fall into what most people would think of as beautiful. I am aware that the way in which an image or series is presented can make a huge difference but here the presentation forms part of the series itself.

Fig. 1 Water Towers 1972-2009 Bernd Becher and Hilla Becher

Fig. 2 Gas Tanks 1965-2009 Bernd Becher and Hilla Becher

Bibliography

Figure 1
Becher, B. and Becher, H., 1972-2009. Water Towers. [image]
Available at: <https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bernd-becher-and-hilla-becher-water-towers-p81238&gt;
[Accessed 15 November 2021].

Figure 2
Becher, B. and Becher, H., 1965-2009. Gas Tanks. [image]
Available at: <https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bernd-becher-and-hilla-becher-gas-tanks-p81238&gt;
[Accessed 15 November 2021].