Pitheads 1974

This photographic grid of "Pitheads" by Bernd and Hilla Becher presents nine almost identical industrial structures. It’s about seeing through repetition and noticing the small changes, like how a painter might mix slightly different shades of the same color. The Bechers were interested in the visual language of these buildings, how they spoke of industry and labor. What I find interesting is how, by presenting these structures in a grid, they turned something functional into something almost abstract. Each pithead has its own texture, its own subtle variations in tone, and its own surrounding landscape. Looking at the image on the top right, for example, with its hazy background, I am reminded of the landscapes of Atget. Like Atget, the Bechers elevated everyday subjects into art. The comparison highlights how art is always in conversation with what came before, transforming familiar motifs and themes into new ways of seeing. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether these are just photographs of buildings or something more.