Photo-Transformation

Lucas Samaras American, born Greece

July 23, 1976

Not on view

In his experimental self-portraits, Lucas Samaras manipulated a familiar photographic process to uncanny effect. Taking advantage of the wet emulsion of instant Polaroid prints, he used his hand or a stylus to manipulate the dye while the picture developed, deforming his own physical features in the process. Identity in his work is malleable.

Artwork Details

Title: Photo-Transformation
Artist: Lucas Samaras (American (born Greece), Kastoria 1936–2024 New York)
Date: July 23, 1976
Medium: Instant internal dye diffusion transfer print (Polaroid SX-70)
Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.8 cm (3 1/8 x 3 1/16 in.)
Classification: Photographs
Credit Line: Gift of Arnold and Milly Glimcher, 1986
Object Number: 1986.1244.4
Rights and Reproduction: © Lucas Samaras
Curatorial Department: Photographs

More Artwork

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Untitled, A, Lucas Samaras American, born Greece, Graphite with incising on paper — Untitled, A
Lucas Samaras
1966

Untitled, 1974, Lucas Samaras American, born Greece, Pastel on black board — Untitled, 1974
Lucas Samaras
1974

Large Drawing # 33, Lucas Samaras American, born Greece, Graphite with incising and colored pencil on paper — Large Drawing # 33
Lucas Samaras
1966

Large Drawing # 5, Lucas Samaras American, born Greece, Brush and colored inks, colored pencil, and marker with graphite on paper — Large Drawing # 5
Lucas Samaras
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Box #10, Lucas Samaras American, born Greece, Mixed Media — Box #10
Lucas Samaras
1963

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