Bernd and Hilla Becher
Bernd Becher (1931-2007) and Hilla Wobeser (1934-2015), prominent figures of the Düsseldorf School, are among the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Their collaboration, which began in 1959, redefined the concept of architectural photography, particularly through the study of industrial and civil structures. Their most well-known works were entirely devoid of human subjects, color, light and shadow effects, blurring, or reflections, characterized by formal rigor and an essential aesthetic.
Their photographs, rigorously composed and marked by an extremely precise visual language, not only document but also transform these buildings into aesthetic and cultural objects.
One of the most significant works in the Bisazza Foundation’s collection is "Sechs Wassertürme" (Water Towers), 1976, a series of photographs capturing six water towers in industrial landscapes. Each image follows the typical Becher method: symmetrical composition and formal repetition that gives a sense of cataloging while simultaneously highlighting the hidden beauty of these structures, often considered anonymous or obsolete.
The work of Bernd and Hilla Becher has had a profound impact on contemporary photography, influencing generations of artists and photographers. Their methodical approach is considered essential for understanding the connections between photography and architecture, as well as their contribution to the visual language of our time.
The Bisazza Foundation has chosen to dedicate a space to their work, in recognition of their contribution to contemporary visual language and their ability to transform documentation into art. The photographs of Bernd and Hilla Becher, such as "Sechs Wassertürme", represent a perfect meeting point between aesthetics and architecture, where photographic precision merges with the cultural and historical significance of the buildings depicted.
Their work has been widely recognized internationally: in 1972 they began a long-lasting collaboration with the Sonnabend Gallery in New York, and that same year were invited to participate in Documenta in Kassel, where they returned in 1977, 1982, and 2002. Other important recognitions include their participation in the São Paolo Biennale in 1977 and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 1991.
Among their most significant exhibitions are those organized by the Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven in 1981, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1974, and the Westfälisches Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte in Münster in 1994. Their works have also been shown at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (2005) and the Museum of Modern Art in New York (2008).
