Bernd and Hilla Becher Speak with Moritz Neumüller

Published by La Fábrica in 2005, this volume captures an extended dialogue between the foundational German conceptual artists Bernd and Hilla Becher and curator Moritz Neumüller. The Bechers, renowned for their lifelong systematic documentation of industrial architecture through precise, black-and-white photography, were influential teachers at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. This book serves as a vital primary resource, reflecting their rigorous conceptual approach to photography and the meticulous methodology they employed in cataloging structures like water towers, blast furnaces, and grain elevators.

The design and content of the book reflect the Bechers' own aesthetic of objectivity and clarity, favoring archival structure over ornamental presentation. Neumüller’s interview format successfully distills the couple's philosophical views on the neutrality of the camera lens and the importance of series over individual images. Upon its release, the publication was well-received within the academic and artistic community as an essential companion to their extensive body of work, providing rare, direct insight into the collaborative partnership that defined the 'Düsseldorf School' of photography.