"Invented in 1956 by Pierre Cordier, the chemigram combines the physics of painting (varnish, wax, oil) and the chemistry of photography (photosensitive emulsion, developer, fixer) ; without a camera, without an enlarger and in full light."
C H E M I G R A M E V A L U A T I O N
To create my chemigrams I used photographic paper, developing chemicals and various other liquids such as body spray and hair wax. My first chemigrams were made in a well lit environment. I placed some hair wax onto the photographic paper and rubbed it around, I then held it up to the window to expose the paper as it is light sensitive. When I could see that the chemicals had left a light pink trace on the paper, I then placed it in the developer for a couple of minutes. I then took it out and placed it in the stop. I did not fix my image as I wanted to let it carry on changing colours. This was also an experiment to see how using different types and amount of photo developing chemicals would change my image.
The first chemigram above was created using hair wax. I placed the substance onto the photographic paper and then exposed it to natural light for a minute or two, then proceeded to place my paper into the developer. I then placed it into the stop but I did not fix my image. I did this as I wanted it to keep changing colours and developing. I watched it turn from completely black and white to partially lilac. This was very interesting and pretty to watch as the colours kept changing. I wasn't sure which state would be it's final. My other chemigrams on the right hand side were created using ink, hair wax and body spray. The only image that was fixed is the black and white one above the others. I chose not to fix the other images after developing them as I wanted to watch them change and allow them to keep reacting after I had developed them.
1st chemigram - Body spray and vaseline - To create this chemigram, I put a layer of vaseline onto my paper and then sprayed body spray over the top of it. My favourite part is the body spray as I really like the natural and dispersed pattern that it creates. I also like contrast that the different mediums create and the grey and white tones.
2nd chemigram - Hair wax and scratching - This chemigram came out rather rough looking and quite textured. I created it by placing hair wax onto my photographic paper and then scratching away at it with the pointed end of a pair of scissors. I then proceeded to place it in to the 3 types of chemicals and left it to dry. I decided to fix this image as I liked the way it looked and wanted to keep it that way.
3rd chemigram - Red ink - This is probably my favourite chemigram as I love the colours within it. The shades of pink and red remind me of a sunset or of candy floss, it looks fluffy to me. This is due to the fact that I placed the ink on in swirls, in a circular motion, to give it a light and airy feel. Red ink was the only substance that I used for this chemigram, the fact that it gave off two different effects within the image was very interesting and also added another visual element to it. I believe that it gave off two effects due to the volume of the ink that was placed upon it, the darker parts of the chemigram had two layers of ink on it, and the lighter parts had just one layer.
4th chemigram - Cleaner and scratching - This chemigram also ended up looking rather rough and jagged, the way in which I placed the cleaning substance upon it was very sharp and edgy. I did this unintentionally and I did not realise at the time, however I really like the effect that it gave off. The shapes remind me of the pattern that waves give off in the ocean, unpredictable and different every time. For this chemigram, I placed it in the developer but I did not stop or fix my image as I wanted to see what would happen afterwards and I wanted to watch the chemicals continue to react with each other. My image changed from being black and white to black and light purple. I like watching the colours change as I find the uncertainty of how an image is going to turn out quite exciting.
P I E R R E C O R D I E R
Pierre Cordier is a photographer who is well known for his experimentation with chemicals on photographic paper. He layers chemicals in very visually appealing and interesting ways. His chemigrams display very intricate details and patterns, some of them are so well detailed and unique that they do not even look like chemigrams. He is one of the most well known experimental photographers linked to camera less photography. He is the founder of the 'chemigram' and the first person to discover and make art out of how chemicals react together in photo developing liquid.
G A L L E R Y
There is a very obvious theme and sense of pattern within Cordier's work, we can see shapes and lines that are repeated throughout. I think that these patterns were intentional and Cordier made them by layering and manipulating the chemicals and then allowing them to react with eachother. The chemicals themselves make the final pattern as after Cordier layers them, he is no longer really in full control and they react with eachother by themselves. However the way in which he layers them is very interesting and visually stimulating as there is quite a lot going on and most of his work is rather busy. I think that Cordier's main focus' must have been colour and pattern, as lots of different shades and tones can be seen within his work, it is clear that he has experimented in order to achieve different interesting outcomes. The same thing can be said for shape and pattern as we can see sharp and harsh shapes in his work, but then also round, smooth shapes, once again showing us how he was cleary a very inquisitive and experimental artist who wanted to explore every possible outcome and observe as many chemical reactions as he could.
I M A G E A N A L Y S I S
This image is probably my favourite piece by Cordier whilst also being one of his less complicated and intricate works. I love the cold and eerie atmposphere created by the dull and dark colours. When I first saw this image it resembeled a crowd of people with all of their heads facing fowards, as if you are in a crowd. The circular parts of the image that the chemicals have created looked like heads of silhouettes to me. I also saw shapes that resembeled branches and trees in the far distance of the image. The long lines reminded me of rain and the patterns that it makes when it falls down surfaces, like on glass or a windowpane.