CURATED: PIERRE CORDIER

A primary form of photographic pictoring is the "Chemigramm," which is similar to the photogram and the luminogram. It is based on the reaction of photosensitive paper with developer and fixer and, therefore, on the photochemical reactions. It combines the physics of color (oil varnish, wax, oil) and the chemistry of photography (photosensitive layer, developer, fixer) without a camera, enlarger, or natural daylight.

The Belgian artist Pierre Cordier is the protagonist of this invention. In 1956, he created the first Chemiegramm, and in 1963, the word was protected by copyright. Without ever using a camera, Cordier produces photographs just by designing the photosensitive papers and influencing the process of the photochemical reaction during the time of developing and fixing. Cordier locates the Chemigramm between the genres, between photography, painting, ceramics, and gravure. The term "Chemigramm" describes both the technical process and the picture as well. The principle of randomness, which is much important in his oeuvre, enables many possibilities of design.

Cordier's works are featured in numerous international private and public collections. Over the years, his chemigrams have been exhibited at renowned institutions, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Musée d'Art Moderne in Brussels, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Notable acquisitions of his works have been made by the Centre Georges Pompidou in 2008 and the Victoria & Albert Museum in 2010.

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EXHIBITION

The artwork CHIMIGRAMS 30/8/77 III belongs to Pierre Cordier's series of chemigrams, which he refers to as MINIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY. It is a unique piece created in 1977, and it is a chemigram produced on silver gelatin baryth paper. 
Pierre Cordier, a Belgian artist, is credited as the creator of the chemigram, a photographic image made without the use of a camera. The chemigram is based on the reaction of photosensitive paper with developer and fixer, combining the physical properties of color (such as oil-varnish, wax, and oil) with the chemical processes used in photography (photosensitive layers, developer, and fixer). Cordier's chemigrams are created without a camera or an enlarger, using only natural daylight and influencing the photochemical reactions during the developing and fixing processes. He positions the chemigram between the realms of photography, painting, ceramics, and intaglio printmaking, utilizing chance and randomness as crucial elements in his creative process. 
In 1956, Cordier created the first chemigram, and in 1963, he copyrighted the term. His innovative approach garnered recognition from influential figures in the field, such as Otto Steinert, who invited Cordier to visit Saarbrücken in 1958. Steinert acknowledged that the chemigrams represented a significant step in the development of artistic photography, praising Cordier's ability to create precise structures and colors that surpass those achievable by painters.

Chimigramme 30/8/77 III

The artwork CHIMIGRAMS 26/8/77 III belongs to Pierre Cordier's series of chemigrams, which he refers to as MINIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY. It is a unique piece created in 1977, and it is a chemigram produced on silver gelatin baryth paper. 
Pierre Cordier, a Belgian artist, is credited as the creator of the chemigram, a photographic image made without the use of a camera. The chemigram is based on the reaction of photosensitive paper with developer and fixer, combining the physical properties of color (such as oil-varnish, wax, and oil) with the chemical processes used in photography (photosensitive layers, developer, and fixer). Cordier's chemigrams are created without a camera or an enlarger, using only natural daylight and influencing the photochemical reactions during the developing and fixing processes. He positions the chemigram between the realms of photography, painting, ceramics, and intaglio printmaking, utilizing chance and randomness as crucial elements in his creative process. 
In 1956, Cordier created the first chemigram, and in 1963, he copyrighted the term. His innovative approach garnered recognition from influential figures in the field, such as Otto Steinert, who invited Cordier to visit Saarbrücken in 1958. Steinert acknowledged that the chemigrams represented a significant step in the development of artistic photography, praising Cordier's ability to create precise structures and colors that surpass those achievable by painters. 
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CHIMIGRAMME 26/8/77 III

The artwork CHIMIGRAMS 26/8/77 VI belongs to Pierre Cordier's series of chemigrams, which he refers to as MINIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY. It is a unique piece created in 1977, and it is a chemigram produced on silver gelatin baryth paper. 
Pierre Cordier, a Belgian artist, is credited as the creator of the chemigram, a photographic image made without the use of a camera. The chemigram is based on the reaction of photosensitive paper with developer and fixer, combining the physical properties of color (such as oil-varnish, wax, and oil) with the chemical processes used in photography (photosensitive layers, developer, and fixer). Cordier's chemigrams are created without a camera or an enlarger, using only natural daylight and influencing the photochemical reactions during the developing and fixing processes. He positions the chemigram between the realms of photography, painting, ceramics, and intaglio printmaking, utilizing chance and randomness as crucial elements in his creative process. 
In 1956, Cordier created the first chemigram, and in 1963, he copyrighted the term. His innovative approach garnered recognition from influential figures in the field, such as Otto Steinert, who invited Cordier to visit Saarbrücken in 1958. Steinert acknowledged that the chemigrams represented a significant step in the development of artistic photography, praising Cordier's ability to create precise structures and colors that surpass those achievable by painters. 
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CHIMIGRAMME 26/8/77 VI

The exhibition presents pioneers from different generations, early 1950s until today, working in the field of generative art. On view will be, among others, plotter drawings, generative photography, sculptures, and NFTs from 30 international artists. In collaboration with ELEMENTUM.ART.

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PIERRE CORDIER

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EXHIBITION