Anonyme Skulpturen: Eine Typologie technischer Bauten

Anonyme Skulpturen: Eine Typologie technischer Bauten (Anonymous Sculptures: A Typology of Technical Buildings) is a seminal work by Bernd and Hilla Becher, published in 1970 by Art-Press in Düsseldorf. The book provides a rigorous typological classification of industrial structures, including blast furnaces, cooling towers, and gas tanks, which the artists presented as 'anonymous sculptures.' By isolating these structures from their functional context, the Bechers highlighted their unique aesthetic and formal qualities. This work established their signature approach to industrial photography, characterized by objective, large-scale documentation and a focus on repetitive forms. It remains a fundamental text in both art history and architectural studies, reflecting the transition from industrial utility to sculptural object.