["Ingersoll drill Co's compressor plant", "Ingersoll drill Co's compressor plant, shaft no 25"] before 1887

These photographs of the "Ingersoll Drill Co’s Compressor Plant," by C.V.V. Powers, present studies in industrial form and spatial dynamics. Both compositions are anchored by the robust machinery, each component rendered with meticulous detail. In the upper image, the compressor itself dominates, its mass articulated through a play of light and shadow that emphasizes its geometric volumes. The lower image offers a broader view, where the network of pipes and valves creates a complex, almost labyrinthine space. Powers's photographs are more than mere documentation. They invite contemplation on the aesthetics of industrial architecture. By framing these plants as subjects worthy of artistic attention, Powers challenges traditional notions of beauty. The interplay between order and complexity, function and form, is carefully constructed. They present us with an opportunity to reconsider the visual language of the industrial age.