The large, intensely coloured photographs taken by Jörn Michael from Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany, have nothing in common with reality and objectivity. Jörn’s artistic interest is focused on colours and shapes, unusual patterns, which he emphasizes with the most varied means and materials. The classical motif as it is generally known in photography does not exist. Forget about looking through the eye-piece and the sudden impulse for a snapshot. For Jörn photography is only the means for the purpose and he uses it similarly to the abstract painter’s intensions. It is almost secondary that the pictures were created photographically, by exposing a film – i.e. a light sensitive material – to light under different conditions, but is shall still be mentioned here. Jörn Michael enjoys experimenting, takes inspiration from coincidental discoveries and embraces these newly found possibilities with his artistic work. Abstract coloured areas have a strong tradition in 20th century painting. There is Malewitsch’s black square, Barnett Newman (painting “Who is afraid of red, yellow and blue?”) and Mark Rothko as well as the Munich-based Ruprecht Geiger or Gothard Graubner from the Vogtland, Germany. Initially we are confronted with the extremely suggestive effect of the colours. Intense red, cool blue (Yves Klein) or matt deep black create their own atmosphere. The soft and washed-out transitions lend the pictures an easy feel without drifting into weakness. The pieces have no titles and are hence available for any kind of interpretation. Besides the pure colour effect there are sometimes associations discernible. Almost naturally one can recognise landscapes, forests or snowed in, frosty fields in some pictures. Whereas others remind of the fascination of the aurora borealis or red light.