Bram van Stappen, Ratio. S.l.: Stockmans Art Books, 2022. Clothbound hardcover with black foil-stamped title, 130 pp. 22,5 x 17,3 cm. Limited edition run.
This is number 055/117. Signed copy.
Includes a 17,7 x 12,7 cm black & white print.
In his first book, Belgian visual artist Bram van Stappen offers a conceptual and serialized remake of the Rückenfigur motif, featuring 117 nude backs of varying sizes with the image size based on the ratio of shoulder width to torso height.
Unlike traditional depictions of Rückenfigure, which are historically situated in front of receding landscapes, van Stappen places the emphasis solely on the back as a canvas for expression and identity, taking out the landscape as a factor adding perspective. His flattened images invite us to consider the back as a non-descript bodily zone primarily characterized by skin, hair, shape, volume, age, and impurities yet one that seems deeply connected to our sense of self and identity.
Through his exploration of the back, van Stappen challenges preconceived notions of identity and representation, highlighting the ways in which bodies can serve as vessels for personal expression and self-discovery. By looking for determining identity characteristics in a seemingly insignificant area of the body, van Stappen reminds us of the complexity and nuance of the human form and invites us to reflect on the many ways in which bodies can serve as vehicles for personal and cultural identity.