Thomas Ruff’s latest exhibition, Experiences Lumineuses, immerses viewers in a realm where light itself becomes the primary subject of inquiry.
Over the decades, Ruff has established a reputation for probing the essence of photographic representation—an essence that often tests the limits between what is real and what is fabricated. In earlier series such as “Sterne”, he took images from observatory archives and manipulated them to invite viewers into cosmic vistas otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Later works such as “Substrat” showcased his constant evolution as he harnessed both existing media and new digital processes to recast familiar visuals into ambiguous, sometimes dreamlike images. Now, with Experiences Lumineuses, Ruff carries this notion one step further: illuminating not only the subject matter but the luminous properties of the medium itself.
From the first glance, the new pieces appear to be studies in translucence and color variation, as if capturing fleeting states of light. Some images have the ethereal quality of a prismatic flare frozen in time, while others evoke the sensation of staring into half-diffused reflections on glass or the glow of screens in a darkened room. Ruff’s treatment of color is strikingly subtle: gentle washes or bursts of brightness that appear suspended within crisp photographic frames. The layering technique—evident in the installation views—lures the audience into an almost meditative engagement, a visual echo of those moments when one’s eyes are half-closed, seeing floating patterns against the eyelids.
The title Experiences Lumineuses underscores Ruff’s pursuit of what might be called the “ephemeral core” of photography. Historically, photography has often been praised for its ability to present reality faithfully. Yet, in Ruff’s hands, light itself becomes a subject that defies pure documentary intent, slipping beyond fixed interpretations. In a nod to classical thought, it might be reminiscent of Plato’s allegory of the cave, suggesting that what we perceive as reality could be mere illusions of light and shadow. However, there is also a distinctly modern aspect to Ruff’s approach: a recognition that in the digital age, images undergo endless transformations, shifting from screen to screen, transcending a single tangible format.
Walking through the exhibition, it is impossible not to sense a quiet dialogue between the observer and the phenomenon of photography itself. The compositions feel calm yet immersive. The artist draws on the intangible qualities that digital editing enables, while still rooting each piece in distinctly photographic origins. In some works, lingering traces of photographic grain or traces of captured texture connect the contemporary digital realm back to the earliest practices of chemical darkroom processes, bridging centuries of technical evolution.
Critics and longtime followers of Ruff’s oeuvre have praised the exhibition for its subtlety and depth. While some visitors might recall his earlier conceptual works—scrutinizing portraiture, architecture, or astronomical images—Experiences Lumineuses feels more introspective and sensorial. The pieces invite a personal encounter, asking viewers to reflect on their own experience of light, illusion, and visual memory. In a culture continually flooded with images, Ruff’s measured, precise approach offers a thoughtful counterbalance, highlighting those fleeting moments where light turns mysterious.
Ultimately, Experiences Lumineuses affirms Thomas Ruff’s status as an artist in perpetual dialogue with the photographic medium. He remains uncompromising in his quest to test the boundaries between representation and abstraction, truth and artifice. By emphasizing luminosity, reflection, and the very act of seeing, Ruff connects our deep-seated fascination with light to the broader landscape of contemporary art and technological progress. For any visitor drawn to visually evocative work, this exhibition promises both a serene aesthetic encounter and a catalyst for thinking anew about photography’s capacity to conjure—even in its most minimal forms—profound and luminous experiences.