Thomas Ruff: Transforming Photography

In his considered approach to the means and possibilities of photography, Thomas Ruff (b. 1958) explores a breadth of themes that is reflected in the range of techniques he employs: analogue and digital exposures taken by the artist exist in his practice alongside computer generated imagery, photographs from scientific archives, and pictures culled and manipulated from newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Born in 1958 in Zell am Harmersbach, Germany, Ruff attended the Staatlichen Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf from 1977 to 1985. Okwui Enwezor was a curator and served as director of Haus der Kunst, Munich. He was artistic director of several international exhibitions, including the 56th Venice Biennale (2015); La Triennale 2012, Paris; 7th Gwangju Biennale (2008); 2nd Seville Biennial (2006); Documenta 11, Kassel (2002); and the 2nd Johannesburg Biennale (1997). He was the former dean of academic affairs and senior vice president of the San Francisco Art Institute and held the position of visiting professor at several universities, including Columbia University and New York University.