In 1909, a young mother called Emma Hauck was committed to a psychiatric hospital in Heidelberg (Germany). She was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Emma would pass away in an asylum in Wiesloch 11 years later.
By that time a collection of letters was found in the archives of the Heidelberg hospital. All of these letters were written to her husband Michael, begging him to collect her.
Most of her letters are written with overlapping words. Some read “herzensschatzi komm’ (darling come) over and over; others only repeat the words, ‘komm, komm, komm’ (come) thousands of times.
The letters were never sent…
Photography: Nanouk Prins
Editing: Karianne Bueno, Ellen Sanders, Nanouk Prins
Graphic Design: Studio Suze Swarte
Publisher: Self Published
1st edition: 2021; 2nd edition: 2022
Video of the book (made by Photobookstore)
‘Empty Forest’ was one of the finalists at Athens Photo Festival 2022. The book was selected for the Singapore International Photography Festival 2022, and it was shortlisted for Belfast Photo Festival.
Self Publishers United (Amsterdam)
Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam
La Nouvelle Chambre Claire, Paris
Micamera Bookstore, Milano
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