Chemogram
A chemogram (from "chemistry", "optic" and gramma, Greek for "things written") is an experimental art where a photographic image is partly or fully enlarged and processed onto photographic paper in the darkroom and afterwards selectively painted over in full light with chemicals used in photographic processing.
During the first part of the production the artist is in full control regarding the selection of the image and the duration of the photographic processing, whereas in the second part the control only remains with the spots where the colorless chemicals are applied. The exact reactions of the chemicals, which generate the final colours in those spots, are widely unpredictable. Therefore each chemogram is unique.
In deviation from the established term "chemigram", which had been introduced by the Belgian artist Pierre Cordier, the term "chemogram" (German: "Chemogramm") was coined in 1976 by the photo designer Josef H. Neumann from Dortmund.
As the optic during the production process played a decisive role for him, Neumann changed the term "chemigram" by replacing the letter „i“ with „o“. The first chemograms were exhibited in 1976 at the "Fotografik Studio Gallerie Prof. Pan Walther" in Münster.