LANG ZAL ZE LEVEN / HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU by Anouk Kruithof

Self published, First edition of 500 signed copies, 52 pp., black & white (images) on mint green paper, 28 pages black & white (texts) on white paper, 1 poster, 10 small color photographs manually glued, 10 color leaflets manually mounted with a scotch tape the publication is wrapped with a white ribbon, 11 3/4" X 16 1/2", Softcover

Fine (SIGNED AND DATED)

Happy birthday to you is an unconventional publication about a social project by Anouk Kruithof, which she undertook during her stay at the artistic residence ‘Het Vijfde Seizoen’ at the Altrecht psychiatric unit in Den Dolder in 2011. Kruithof interviewed 10 patients about their birthday wishes and then celebrated it with and for them according to these wishes. ‘One of them wanted a big party with live performances and herring on toast with fresh orange juice for all guests, the next wanted to go to Utrecht to smoke a birthday joint.’ Anouk asked each patient for their favourite colour and they all got a cake adorned with their portrait photograph. Anouk did this deliberately, because cutting and eating ‘your own face’ always puts people as ease. The publication consists of both quotes from the interviews as well as photos of hand-made 3D sets in which the documentary photographs of the birthdays are displayed as small exhibitions. The publication offers a chronological overview of how the 10 birthdays were celebrated and of the honest collaboration with people with a psychiatric condition.“

Included in "The Photobook: A History Volume III" by Parr/Badger