Marianne Schwenk and her son, Benjamin Schwenk, invited me into their lives to tell their story.
She moved in with Benjamin, and together they now share a home by the peaceful Mosel River.
Their daily life became the heart of this project. Through my lens, I was able to document
Marianne’s strong spirit and the quiet strength of their bond, from Marianne tending lovingly to
her small balcony garden, to their gentle walks through nature, to moments of laughter and
learning as she studies French. Both Marianne and Benjamin were not just the subjects but
active collaborators, opening their home, their routines, and their relationship to be seen with
honesty and care. It celebrates resilience, the beauty of small moments, and the deep connection
between a mother and a son navigating life with dementia together.
'Die Kunst ist es den ruhigenden Blick auf den beunruhigenden Gegenstad zu richten.'
The secret is to look calmly at the unsettling object.
'I like to say that my son is not my elevator but my handrail, I can walk up and down the stairs alone but I know I can hold on when I need to.'
' I don't need to feel ashamed, I have not contributed to it. It's not a flaw. It's not a self-inflicted misery, therefore one should talk about Alzeimer's openly.'
