Shaping the accidental: toeval en controle in de cameraloze fotografie van Wolfgang Tillmans

Abstract

This master’s thesis explores the coming about of the cameraless photography of Wolfgang Tillmans out of his conventional photography and how chance and control play a role in their realization. Tillmans’ cameraless photographs originate from his figurative works, in which he allows chance to influence the picture. In his cameraless work, he purposely takes a coincidence and starts using it in a controlled way. His cameraless works are a way of broadening his photographic vision, they are concrete photographs. Tillmans combines these works with his figurative photographs in his installations in a postmodern manner. In his concrete works, he purposely tries to influence the interpretation of the viewer, by connoting these non-referential photos. On the other hand, he leaves a part of the interpretation open for the viewer by placing his photographs in a non-narrative way. By mixing photos, the connotation lies in the reception of the viewer.