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Ephemera # 98

Photograph
2002 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Barbara and Zafer Baran (photographers)
Baran, Barbara (photographer)
Baran, Zafer (photographer)
Place of origin
Richmond (photographed)

Barbara and Zafer Baran collaborate to make striking images of botanical specimens using digital scanning techniques and ink-jet printing. They place the specimens directly onto the scanner. Light passes through the transparent leaves and petals of the plants to reveal a luminous inner structure. Close-ups of high magnification appear like views of the cosmos seen through a telescope, or bacteria seen through a microscope.

These cameraless images are reminiscent of the photograms of early photographers such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Anna Atkins, made by simply placing objects between light-sensitive paper or film and a light source.

Object details

Category
Photographs
Object type
Photograph
TitleEphemera # 98 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Ink-jet printing, digital imaging
Digital Imaging
Ink Jet Printing
Brief description
'Ephemera # 98', 2002, photograph by Barbara and Zafer Baran
Physical description
Image of a botanical form, very pale and luminous clusters of feather-like material (possibly derived from dandelion clocks) scattered over a circular dark background.
Dimensions
  • Framed height: 105cm
  • Framed width: 87.5cm
Gallery label
Cameraless Photography

Barbara and Zafer Baran (b.1956 and 1955)
Ephemera #98
2002
Pigment print
105 x 87.5 cm (framed)
Given by the artists
Museum no. E.340-2005

As its title suggest, the Ephemera series is concerned with the issues of transience and permanence. The works consciously refer back to the nineteenth century botanical photograms of Talbot and Atkins, retaining the spirit of their enquiry but updating the photogram techniques with digital technology.
Credit line
Given by the photographers
Summary
Barbara and Zafer Baran collaborate to make striking images of botanical specimens using digital scanning techniques and ink-jet printing. They place the specimens directly onto the scanner. Light passes through the transparent leaves and petals of the plants to reveal a luminous inner structure. Close-ups of high magnification appear like views of the cosmos seen through a telescope, or bacteria seen through a microscope.

These cameraless images are reminiscent of the photograms of early photographers such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Anna Atkins, made by simply placing objects between light-sensitive paper or film and a light source.
Bibliographic reference
Baran, Barbara and Baran, Zafer. Ephemera. London: The Blue Gallery, 2003.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.340-2005

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Record createdMay 23, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O112275/ephemera--98-photograph-baran-barbara/
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