Flower 1925

This photogram of a flower was made by László Moholy-Nagy, and I can just imagine him in the darkroom, experimenting with light and shadow. It feels so intuitive. I’m super drawn to this image because it reminds me of making a painting – that back and forth between intention and chance. He’s laid this flower right onto the photographic paper and exposed it to light, like a collage, playing with the tones to create this ghostly, luminous effect. The flower’s form emerges from the darkness, like something half-remembered or dreamed. The darkroom is like the studio here, a place where you can explore and push the boundaries of your medium. And maybe that's what Moholy-Nagy was after too, that constant dialogue with other artists.