Indestructible Object (or Object to Be Destroyed)

1921

His first Paris exhibition at the Galerie Six

Ray's first solo exhibition in Paris is held at the Galerie Six, organised by Philippe Soupault; for it he creates his first Dadaist work in France, The Gift (Le Cadeau).

c. 1921

Rayographs: photograms without a camera

His accidental rediscovery of the cameraless photogram, which he calls 'rayographs', produces images hailed by Tristan Tzara as 'pure Dada creations'.

c. 1921

Meeting Kiki de Montparnasse

Shortly after arriving in Paris Ray meets and falls in love with Alice Prin, known as Kiki de Montparnasse, an artists' model and celebrated figure of Paris bohemian circles. She remains his companion for most of the 1920s, the subject of some of his most famous photographs, and stars in his films Le Retour à la raison and L'Étoile de mer.

1921

Moving to Paris, Montparnasse

In July 1921 Ray goes to live and work in Paris, settling in the Montparnasse quarter favoured by many artists.

1940

Fleeing occupied France for the United States

The Second World War forces Ray to flee Nazi-occupied France and return to the United States; Ady Fidelin chooses to stay behind.

1951

Back in Paris: the studio on rue Férou

Ray returns to Paris and settles with Juliet in a studio at 2 bis rue Férou, near the Jardin du Luxembourg; he lives in Paris for the rest of his life.