Nowadays in times of Corona, the words positive negative take on another dimension and meaning.
It’s actually positive to be negative.
text by Prof. Dr. Gottfried Jäger:
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/w_Gottfried-Kopie-750x488.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_6948-1-750x996.jpg)
Unique silver gelatine print, direct positive paper, 20cm x 25cm.
During the second lockdown in Berlin in January 2021 during the pandemic, I found myself in my darkroom again.
I am working with analog photography for many years now, essentially using pinhole cameras to create conceptual and experimental works and series.
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-VliesII_20x25-750x945.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-VliesIII_20x25-750x933.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-VliesXIII_20x25-750x929.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-VliesXII_20x25-750x938.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-VliesIII_20x25-1-750x933.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/23.Vlies-XXIII_originalgroesse_20x25-750x938.jpg)
Thinking about photograms was the original plan, but I then developed the idea to make prints with the use of the common FFP2 and surgical face masks we are all wearing at the moment.
I am using the different layers as negatives in my enlarger, working with both, photo paper and direct photo paper.
The unique results appear like microscopic templates showing traces of the breath.
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Karen-Stuke-PositiveToBeNegative-Fleece-No.1_24x30-750x938.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Fleece_No.5_originalgroesse_24x30-750x947.jpg)
![](https://www.karenstuke.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_6921-1-750x932.jpg)
Unique silver gelatine print, 24cm x30 cm.