Vanishing existence - 2nd edition -

To coincide with the exhibition at Musée Cernuschi, we are excited to announce that The Backyard will release the 2nd edition of Vanishing Existence. The first edition, published in 2013, sold out in just one week! Due to popular demand, we’re releasing this second edition, 11 years after the original.
Like the first edition, this will be limited to 100 copies, printed on beautiful Japanese paper from Awa region, renowned for its exquisite texture and quality, and entirely handmade. If you’re interested, you can pre-purchase a copy. I hope this re-release allows more people to experience the stories behind the images

About Vanishing Existence
The book focuses on leprosy villages in China, and Jörg Colberg once described it as “a real treasure of a book,” with its design and content working in harmony. I wanted the book to feel like an ancient Chinese manuscript, reflecting the long history of leprosy, one of humanity’s oldest diseases.

Design & Craft
I spent a lot of time researching Chinese paleography to get the right feel. We decided to use traditional Japanese paper from Awagami because it offered both the quality needed for printing the images and a texture that resembles ancient books. The whole process is done by hand, using old Chinese and Japanese binding techniques. It’s a labor of love, which means only 100 copies can be made.

Calligraphy by Misato Ichino
The book’s title is hand-drawn by Japanese calligrapher Misato Ichino. She carefully considered the images and stories to create the perfect calligraphy for the cover, and her dedication adds a special touch to the overall design.
Limited Edition with an archival pigment print on Kozo Japanese paper (Washi)

If you’ve been waiting for this book, now’s your chance to pre-order one of the 100 handmade copies. Each book is crafted with care, and I’m excited to share it with those who connect with this project. This time, the book comes with an archival pigment print.