Michael Collins

More about the book

Michael Collins’ work, along with that of Laurenz Berges and Paola De Pietri, is showcased in three high-quality concertina-fold booklets released for the exhibition "Witterungen." These photographic series explore subtle, progressive changes in landscapes and living environments. Berges examines the industrial Ruhr region in Germany, capturing remnants and signs of past eras. Collins presents nearly identical panoramic seascapes featuring marshlands shaped by natural elements, with industrial complexes in the distance, alongside detailed images of steelworks and power stations. De Pietri focuses on striking trees, each photographed in black-and-white, standing alone in open landscapes, highlighting their unique forms and branches. Together, these artists' works reveal a keen awareness of both circumstantial and timeless realities, addressing gradual transformations and their specific aesthetics. The elaborate compositions evoke discomfort stemming from the tension between urban environments and nature, as well as the ambivalence surrounding "unused" areas, which may be reclaimed by nature or repurposed by humans. The exhibition was held at Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur in Cologne from February 3 to July 8, 2018.