A Falling Horizon

Farewell of the Sophiapolder in four seasons.

“I have difficulty with the idea that humans are superior and can construct nature. Should you really manipulate nature, or design it the way you see fit? Because in order to do that, you have to remove something valuable as well.”
For years, Hannie de Vos and her children had a sheep farm on the Sophiapolder, a small island in the river the Noord. Every morning they would row across the river to take care of the animals. But they were forced to leave their home. The dike will be breached to create new nature: a fresh-water tidal marsh. Photographer Heidi de Gier closely followed the family and the nature on the island for a year. Writer Tracy Metz interviewed those involved and wrote The Sophiapolder: farewell in five acts.

Read a review of the book in Ahorn Magazine, and when you can read dutch also in nrc.next and on PhotoQ and Archined.

A Falling Horizon has been selected as one of the Best Books of 2011 by PhotoEye and as one of the Best Dutch Book Designs in 2011, you can read here what the jury wrote about the book.

Photography: Heidi de Gier
Text: Tracy Metz (nl + en)
Design: Hans Gremmen
Publisher: Fw:
Size: 16.6 x 20 cm
200 pages, hardcover
ISBN 978-94-90119-09-6

order the book at Fw:Books SOLD OUT