Water Towers 1988

Editor: Here we have Bernd and Hilla Becher's "Water Towers" from 1988. It's a series of black and white photographs depicting various water towers. I find the repetition and starkness of the images really intriguing, almost like a catalogue. What do you make of it? Curator: I see this work as a profound statement on industrial production and its aesthetic qualities. Look at the materiality – concrete, steel, the very infrastructure of modern society. The Bechers present these functional structures, devoid of human presence, highlighting the means of production inherent in their creation. It prompts us to consider these towers not just as utilitarian objects, but as sculptures born of labor and necessity. Does this industrial aesthetic appeal to you, or do you find it cold? Editor: I can see that. Initially I just thought of them as mundane, but looking at the texture and the slight variations, I guess I do see that sculptural aspect too. It’s like they're elevating everyday industrial objects to art. Curator: Exactly. And consider the socio-economic context. These towers, repeated across the landscape, speak to a network of water distribution, essential for sustaining life and industry. The Bechers draw our attention to these systems and the labor involved, prompting us to reflect on how we consume and interact with these resources. Does that resonate with you in thinking about contemporary consumption? Editor: Definitely. Thinking about how the infrastructure fades into the background normally, it's pretty interesting to think of that labor. I think I definitely have a better grasp of what's going on in the photograph. Curator: Precisely. By focusing on these ubiquitous, yet often overlooked structures, the Bechers challenge traditional boundaries between art, industry, and the built environment. It forces us to contemplate the social and material processes shaping our world. Editor: So, the value comes from acknowledging and showcasing these things and their background? Thanks, I see this very differently now!