Man Ray (American, 1890-1976)
produced his first photograms—cameraless works made by placing objects
and other materials on photosensitive paper—after he came to Paris in
1921.
Though he claimed that he discovered the technique through an
accident in the darkroom, it seems likely that his exploration was
prompted by fellow artist Tristan Tzara, who brought to Paris some of
Christian Schad’s earlier experiments with the medium in Switzerland.
Man Ray dubbed the results of his efforts “Rayographs”—a play on his
name, but also a twist on the roots of the word “photograph,”
meaning “light-writing.” Tzara proclaimed them “pure Dada creations.”
