Roger Humbert (1929–2022) was a Swiss pioneer of Concrete Photography whose unique artistic approach, beginning in the 1950s, focused on the manipulation of light, structure, and the photographic development process. Humbert’s early works, including his photograms and luminograms, rejected the use of a camera or lens, creating abstract light compositions without reference to external subjects. His work aligns with influential art movements such as Vorticism and the Bauhaus, earning him international recognition.
From 2005 onward, Humbert began integrating digital techniques, using a digital camera to explore new visual and conceptual questions. Light remained his central theme, now emphasizing how humans perceive and process light and form, while also exploring the creative distinctions between artificial and human intelligence. His digital Concrete Photography represents the culmination of a lifetime of innovation, blending his signature formal language with digital code and the nuances of light manipulation, thereby completing the circle of his long-standing artistic inquiry.
Presented by Photo Edition Berlin as part of REIMAGINE TOMORROW, 1954-2024: AI in Context #2, 17–24 November 2024, at Heilig Geist, on the occasion of the AI Biennale in Essen, Germany.
