Thomas Ruff: Fotogramme (Photograms)

Ruff’s Fotogramme (Photograms) depict abstract shapes, lines, and spirals in seemingly random formations with varying degrees of transparency and illumination. Their formal composition is reminiscent of the photograms made by Surrealist artists in the 1920s, who were experimenting with cameraless methods of creating images using light. Yet, while their method invariably incorporated an element of chance in the final result, Ruff's photograms are derived from a virtual studio built by a custom software program, allowing the artist more control over the outcome. Their digital generation raises broader questions about what constitutes photography, and ultimately touches upon the issue of the medium’s veracity.