Thomas Ruff: Photograms

Ruff’s 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 camera-less methods of creating images using light. Their method allowed for the element of chance in the final result, whereas Ruff's photograms are derived from a virtual studio built by a custom software program, giving the artist more aesthetic 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.