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Description: Pennsylvania, F”rdert쳌rme signed 'Bernd Becher Hilla Becher' on the first photograph and numbered consecutively one through twenty-two (on the reverse of each photograph) twenty-two gelatin silver prints each: 173/4 x 211/2 in. (45 x 55 cm.) Executed in 1997. PROVENANCE Monika Spr쳌th Galerie, Cologne EXHIBITION Duisburg, Museum K쳌ppersm쳌hle-Sammlung Grothe, Tomorrow For Ever, October 1999-January 2000 Duisburg, Museum K쳌ppersm쳌hle-Sammlung Grothe, Photo und Papier, February-June 2000 NOTES Bernd and Hilla Becher explore industrial objects and how form and function can be manipulated when an object is placed in different contexts. The present work is a prime example of their rigorous approach to photography, where, by taking many photographs of the same building, the individuality of each one is gradually revealed and subtle aesthetic differences are brought to light. The wooden mine heads of North America featured here appear as lonely monuments to public sculpture, by persons unknown. In their original incarnation, these mines were noisy, dirty, full of commotion and most likely quite dangerous. Through their thorough photographic examination of them, the Bechers have succeeded in altering our perception of these structures to one of silent contemplation and calm. SALESROOM NOTICE The first photograph is signed 'Bernd Becher Hilla Becher' and each photograph is numbered consecutively one through twenty-two (on the reverse).