Met Exhibition Explores Man Ray's Transformative Rayographs and Multifaceted Legacy

New York, NY – The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to unveil "Man Ray: When Objects Dream," a major exhibition opening September 14, 2025, and running through February 1, 2026. The show delves into the radical experimentation of American artist Man Ray (1890–1976), particularly highlighting his groundbreaking cameraless photographs known as rayographs, and his profound influence across Dada and Surrealist movements. The New Yorker described the exhibition as explaining "how one American artist learned to multiply himself into a Dada-Surrealist octopus," underscoring his diverse artistic output.

This comprehensive exhibition is the first to position the rayograph—a technique Man Ray pioneered in 1921 by placing objects directly onto light-sensitive paper—within the broader context of his extensive work from the 1910s and 1920s. The title itself draws inspiration from Dada poet Tristan Tzara, who characterized rayographs as capturing moments "when objects dream" due to their mysterious and transformative qualities. Man Ray himself noted, "Before my eyes an image began to form... They looked startlingly new and mysterious.

Curated by Stephanie D’Alessandro and Stephen C. Pinson, the exhibition features approximately 60 rayographs alongside 100 paintings, objects, prints, drawings, films, and photographs, sourced from The Met's collections and over 50 international lenders. It explores how Man Ray's innovative approach to objects, light, and media redefined his artistic practice and impacted countless artists, showcasing iconic pieces like his iron studded with tacks, Cadeau (Gift) (1921), and the metronome, Object to be Destroyed (1923). The presentation also includes newly restored films such as Retour à la raison (1923) and L’étoile de mer (1928).

The exhibition underscores Man Ray's role as a pivotal figure bridging Dada's focus on chance and irrationality with Surrealism's exploration of dreams and desire, a period art critic Louis Aragon termed the "mouvement flou" or "blurry movement." This showcase is supported by major funding from entities including the Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore Foundation and Linda Macklowe, with an accompanying fully illustrated catalogue available for purchase. Educational programs and related events, such as film screenings and performances, will further enrich the visitor experience.