EXAMINING the role photography plays in the development of Abstraction, the upcoming Tate Modern exhibition Shape of Light explores the relationship between digital innovation and abstract art, featuring images shot from 1910 film cameras to photos from the current era. The notion of putting photography into the context of abstraction challenges art disciplines and creates an interesting new dialogue between the works.
Aleksandr Rodchenko, Radio Tower Station c.1929
Guy Bourdin, Untitled c.1950s
El Lissitzky – Proun in Material c.1924
Wyndham Lewis, Workshop c.1914-5
The show will highlight moments of innovation in the history of photography, exploring the new techniques created by some of the pioneers of abstract art. Presenting over 300 works by more than 100 artists, the exhibition will delve into the history of abstract photography alongside iconic paintings and sculptures.
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Fotogramm c.1925
Moholy-Nagy, K VII, 1922
Jackson Pollock – Number 23 c.1948
James Welling, ZEPES c.1986
Featuring works by Alvin Langdon Coburn, British photographer of the late 19th century who set out to explore the potential of modern art through the lens of a camera; who eventually became the first artist to create abstract images with the camera.
His famous series, Vortographs, was created through an instrument Coburn constructed. The tool consisted of mirrors clamped together and fitted over a camera lens. Only 18 Vortographs were made, all taken across the period of a month- yet they remain one of the most visionary images in the history of photography.
Barbara Kasten, Photogenic Painting. Untitled c.1974 
Jacques Villeglé. Jazzmen c.1926 
Otto Steinert. The Luminogram II c.1952
Imogen Cunningham. Triangles c.1928
Amongst the works displayed will include photographs by Floris Neussis and Gottfried Jaeger, Bridget Riley’s distinct geometric paintings as well as a major painting by Surrealist artist Joan Miró.
by Faye LeungÂ
Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
The exhibition will run from May 2 to October 14.
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