Erno-Erik Raitanenborn - Bacteriograms (2008-2010)

Bacteriograms are an interesting extension of the notion of a ‘self-portrait.’ Raitanenborn has taken bacteria from his own body, cultivating it directly onto colour negative film. In doing so, degrading areas of the film gelatin, creating abstract shapes and unpredictable colours when processed.

What is particularly successful with this body of work is that despite the photographer showing nothing of his own physical appearance, Raitanenborn manages to retain a strangely personal element, that allows us to become compelled and intrigued by his images. The fact that what we are seeing is a biochemical reaction between the materials of photography and the photographer himself, creates an ‘organic’ bond. Effectively portraying the notion of both the materiality of film and its intrisic nature of representating the individual. Contradicting the codes and conventions of traditional self portraiture, we nevertheless feel to some extent similar reactions to the piece. However in this instance, the photographer has physically given a part of himself to the picture.  

www. ernoraitanen.com