Thomas Ruff

The title of the "dark zycles" series, to which dark zycles 4065 (2009) belongs, refers to the mathematical formula for cycloids or roulettes, as used by Thomas Ruff
(* 1958 Zell am Harmersbach, DE). The works are the product of a multi-stage design model which results in a delicate graphic structure. The starting point is a series of nineteenth-century copper engravings depicting electromagnetic fields, which the artist then digitised and re-touched. The dark zycles of the title are thus an expression of the multi-facetted oeuvre of Ruff, who was one of the most versatile pupils of photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher. Ruff has often explored the boundaries of photography, art and authorship. In dark zycles 4065, he has created an abstract surface impression of seemingly infinite space, which is also defined though scientific findings and visualisation mechanisms.