Talbotized

Fox Talbot, the inventor of the negative-positive photographic process, conducted experiments on the nature of static electricity around the same time as research on photography along with his friend Michael Faraday in the latter half of the 1830s. This rod made of brass and glass, known as a "discharge wand", was used as an electrode terminal by Talbot in his electrostatic experiments. I proposed to the Bodleian Library, owner of the Talbot Archive that I continue Talbot's experiments in my darkroom by borrowing this wand that has been stored in the Talbot family archive for generations. The Bodleian gave its ready consent.

Over five years, I have been trying to capture the miracle of light from discharging electricity directly on film, which is photosensitized paper conceived by Talbot. I am truly honored to be able to conduct this experiment using equipment actually utilized by Talbot himself. I can feel my body being filled by the vigorous spirit from roughly 180 years ago, at the dawning of a new era of photography and science.

- Hiroshi Sugimoto

○ ○ ○ ○