I Imagined It Empty

A handmade, self-published photobook of 34 pictures, chosen from a larger boy of work titled
Excerpts. This selection was made to honor the passing of my mother’s life and her continuous
presence in my home and daily routines.

"I live in a house that was built in 1940 in the Catskill Mountains. When we bought our house no-
one else wanted it. It doesn’t have a garage, a paved driveway, a basement, more than one bath
or bedroom which is why many people undervalued the house. It was also cluttered when we
looked at it, but I immediately imagined it empty and knew it would be beautiful. The house has
small windows that lets in a gentle light which is special to this house. Life is going by quickly
and I have lost many people, close to me, and not, in ways unexpected or if expected, naively I
did not see coming. I know that I will not live in this house forever. The house will hopefully
outlive me, but I wonder if a part of me will outlive the house. I wish my dad could have visited,
at least once. Somehow, with the passing of my parents, the need for a home I love feels more
important. While creating this work, I had the sense that all the people in my life, still here or
not, live with me in my house." - Ruth Lauer Maneti

Size: 8 1⁄2” x 10” x 5/8”
Price: $108
Inventory: 10
Year: 2022