>>2099039While typically associated with nuclear power reactors, such cooling towers are used widely across many different types of power generators that burn a fuel to heat water into steam to create a Hot/Cold cycle.
They are shaped so as such to reduce lateral wind resistance while preserving structural integrity, and sit on open struts similar to high-tension power lines to allow air to flow into them below and up-outwards like a plane's wind turbine.
But yes, their ominous association lends nicely to the bleak, gloomy atmosphere of that artwork.
