While this exhibition may be a feast for those who appreciate the search for beauty in the mundane, it may be a puzzle for those who come to the Met in search of virtuosity. The strength of the Bechers’ work is in its repetition, which turns its understated nature into a point of interest. It is not likely that viewers will be compelled to rush to a specific, eye catching piece when they enter a gallery. The exhibition rewards close, consistent attention, which may compel those in a rush to pass it by. This effect of the exhibition mimics the visual bias one may have towards the seemingly ordinary architecture that the Bechers photograph, underscoring the idea that attention is often the main factor that lends importance to a subject.
Repetition is the word that comes to mind at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition: Bernd & Hilla Becher. The exhibition consists of six galleries, showcasing photo after photo of industrial architectural structures, as well as a small number of early drawings and paintings. The Bechers’ photographs most frequently depict a single industrial structure, centered in the image, in black and white. This compositional repetition allows the viewer to notice variations between subjects. Viewing so many similarly photographed structures together encourages one to search for the unique details of each. Some, such as “Cooling Tower, Zeche Mont Cenis, Herne, Ruhr Region, Germany”, are distinctive in their symmetry. By contrast, “Gravel Plant, Günzberg, Germany” is notable for the protruding triangular shape on only one side of the structure. The consistent and measured photographic style makes these details the protagonists of the exhibition.
While this exhibition will be a feast for those who appreciate the search for beauty in the mundane, it may be a puzzle for those who come to the Met in search of masterpieces. The strength of the Bechers’ work is in its repetition, which turns its understated nature into a point of interest. It is not likely that viewers will be compelled to rush to a specific, eye catching piece when they enter a gallery. The exhibition rewards close, consistent attention, those in a rush may pass it by. This effect of the exhibition mimics the bias one may have against the seemingly ordinary architectures that the Bechers photograph, underscoring the idea that artists’ and viewers’ attention is often the main factor that lends importance to a subject.
Wow, great review! I loved how you clearly separate the experience of looking through the gallery and the effect the work has on the viewer. It’s very easy to visualize what it’s like to move through the gallery space, and you convey your takeaways well, in a way that is clear and beautifully put. I agree that what makes this show so powerful is how it sensitizes you to small nuanced details in everyday life, which is a great power of art. Leaving a gallery space, going into the world, and noticing new things because of it, to me, is a sign of a great art exhibit.
ReplyDeleteI like the description of the details. Bechers divides his work into groups or types, combining several photographs of the same type of structure to be exhibited together. I like how you discuss the attention factor in the last paragraph. Should Bechers update his approach to attract more attention? Their work has been criticized for being indifferent, with each building occupying the same position and space in the photograph, no longer emphasizing the surrounding landscape. The compositions are simple and repetitively heavy. This is the reason why many people tend to overlook them. But is it important to attract attention to a work of art? Perhaps you could add some history of the work or the artist's past to make the essay more of a story. Their images are always shot in black and white and never include people. It's more about the people, the functionality, and reflecting their role
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