For almost a decade, Andreas Straub has been engaging with visualizations of the universe such as constellations or maps. He is intrigued by the paradox of how ever-expanding three-dimensional outer space has been tapped into planes – and thrilled by the imaginative performances invoked by the constellations.

In this context, a series of “dark drawings” started to emerge: In a room totally dark, unhindered by the control of the gaze, Andreas Straub gave way to his imagination and stream-of-consciousness. Like the myths of the origin of the world, the leaves that arose from this process exemplify sexuality and death, and with it the pre-modern, mythical side of astronomy. The experience gained from dark drawing had a lasting influence on this whole cycle of paintings.

Andreas Straub, who until then had always developed his thematic cycles by drawing, now also started to use a computer. For example, starting from his drawings and paintings, he designed numerous computer-prints which constitute visually intriguing variations of formerly found artistic solutions.