The artwork titled “Solarisation” was created by artist Man Ray in 1931. This piece is a photographic work that is associated with the Dada art movement. The genre of this piece is a photo, reflecting the avant-garde exploration of new techniques and artistic expressions that were characteristic of Dada.
“Solarisation” is a black and white photograph that exhibits a figure, likely a woman, with her arms crossed over her head, creating an enigmatic and expressive pose. The technique of solarisation is evident in the reversal of tonal values along the edges of the figure and certain areas of the image; it imbues the artwork with a dreamlike quality, blending the real with the surreal. This process, a partial reversal of the image caused by exposing the negative or the print to light during the development process, gives the photograph a striking, ethereal appearance, with an interplay of light and shadow that serves to heighten the contrasts. This artwork reflects Man Ray’s fascination with experimental photography and his contributions to the portrayal of the human form in new and innovative ways.
