Kohlebunker

Bernd and Hilla Becher’s lifelong photographic practice has remained the same in terms of concept and style. The Bechers explained the object of their photographs: “We want to offer the audience a point of view, or rather a grammar, to understand and compare the different structures.” The subject of this photographic work is a series of coal bunkers. It is an outdated 19th century structure that reminds the viewer of the recent past of industrialization. The grid of fifteen individual coal bunker photographs follows strict rules. This encourages comparison between each structure. The images are characterized by the central location of the buildings, horizontal and vertical lines parallel to the frame, even lighting and an empty background with no signs of life.