Substrat 01 (2001) by Thomas Ruff is a large-scale inkjet print that immerses viewers in a kaleidoscopic swirl of colour and abstraction. Part of his Substrat series, the work draws from manipulated digital images—often sourced from Japanese manga and internet culture—transformed into luminous, psychedelic surfaces. This piece reflects Ruff’s ongoing exploration of perception, media, and image construction. Unlike his earlier, more clinical photography of architecture and portraits, Substrat 01 marks a bold shift into abstraction and digital manipulation, signalling a significant departure from his earlier, more documentary style. It remains emblematic of his innovative approach to photographic media.