Thomas Ruff Nudes in Venice

Since 2000, German artist Thomas Ruff has been creating photographs based on found images from the internet, many of which are featured in a retrospective of his work opening this month at the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation in Venice. Considering his source material, it's not too surprising that many of these works are based on hardcore porn imagery—though as one critic is quick to point out, it isn't exactly about titillation: "He is not even interested to pornography in itself. The quick gaze clashes with the reflection on gaze his own work stands for. One might say that it shows however, what is irreparably lost for art and life: the authenticity of the perception of the body." (Whether or not they still manage to turn you on, however, is another matter entirely.)

· Thomas Ruff (bevilacqualamasa.it, via sexblo.gs)
· Thomas Ruff: The Nudes (gallery and commentary @ postmedia.net)
· Thomas Ruff Nudes, 2000-2001 (gallery @ bluewin.ch)
· Order: "Thomas Ruff Nudes" (Amazon)

Previously: Art by Adam Harvey: "Save As", "Every Playboy Centerfold", "76 Blowjobs", "It Smells Like Girl", Eros ex Mathematica, Molecular Smut, Porno to Art, Museum of Porn in Art