Bernd and Hilla Becher (1931-2007 and 1934-2015)

‘A minehead stands over the shaft entrance of a mine. It is part of a lift installation, the purpose of which is to deliver the raw materials excavated underground up to the surface. The lift installation required for conveying such raw materials consists of the following: the mine shaft, the shaft cables, the shaft cages, the winding engine and the minehead… No two mineheads are the same. Everyone is customized and adapted to the given geological, functional and economic requirements of the site. Ornaments or architecturally styled facings are quite rare’ – Bernd and Hilla Becher