Title
Asylum: Inside The Closed World Of State Mental Hospitals (Mit Press)-used
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Powerful Photographs Of The Grand Exteriors And Crumbling Interiors Of America'S Abandoned State Mental Hospitals.For More Than Half The Nation'S History, Vast Mental Hospitals Were A Prominent Feature Of The American Landscape. From The Midnineteenth Century To The Early Twentieth, Over 250 Institutions For The Insane Were Built Throughout The United States; By 1948, They Housed More Than A Half Million Patients. The Blueprint For These Hospitals Was Set By Pennsylvania Hospital Superintendant Thomas Story Kirkbride: A Central Administration Building Flanked Symmetrically By Pavilions And Surrounded By Lavish Grounds With Pastoral Vistas. Kirkbride And Others Believed That Welldesigned Buildings And Grounds, A Peaceful Environment, A Regimen Of Fresh Air, And Places For Work, Exercise, And Cultural Activities Would Heal Mental Illness. But In The Second Half Of The Twentieth Century, After The Introduction Of Psychotropic Drugs And Policy Shifts Toward Communitybased Care, Patient Populations Declined Dramatically, Leaving Many Of These Beautiful, Massive Buildingsand The Patients Who Lived In Themneglected And Abandoned.Architect And Photographer Christopher Payne Spent Six Years Documenting The Decay Of State Mental Hospitals Like These, Visiting Seventy Institutions In Thirty States. Through His Lens We See Splendid, Palatial Exteriors (Some Designed By Such Prominent Architects As H. H. Richardson And Samuel Sloan) And Crumbling Interiorschairs Stacked Against Walls With Peeling Paint In A Grand Hallway; Brightly Colored Toothbrushes Still Hanging On A Rack; Stacks Of Suitcases, Never Packed For The Trip Home. Accompanying Payne'S Striking And Powerful Photographs Is An Essay By Oliver Sacks (Who Described His Own Experience Working At A State Mental Hospital In His Book Awakenings). Sacks Pays Tribute To Payne'S Photographs And To The Lives Once Lived In These Places, Where One Could Be Both Mad And Safe.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book has two hundred nine pages. It provides a comprehensive exploration of America's abandoned state mental hospitals.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is a hardcover edition. The sturdy binding adds durability, making it ideal for both reading and display.
- Q: What are the dimensions of this book? A: The book measures ten point five six inches in length, zero point nine eight inches in width, and twelve point one three inches in height. These dimensions make it a substantial and visually appealing book.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Christopher Payne. He is an architect and photographer known for his work documenting state mental hospitals.
- Q: What category does this book belong to? A: This book is categorized under Architectural. It focuses on the architectural significance of mental hospitals in America.
- Q: Is this book suitable for children? A: No, this book is not specifically intended for children. It deals with serious themes related to mental health and historical architecture.
- Q: What themes are explored in this book? A: The book explores themes of mental health, architecture, and history. It reflects on the lives of patients in state mental hospitals.
- Q: What type of photography is featured in this book? A: The book features powerful photographs of both exteriors and interiors of abandoned state mental hospitals. Christopher Payne's lens captures their grandeur and decay.
- Q: Does this book include an essay? A: Yes, it includes an essay by Oliver Sacks. His writing reflects on the experience of working in a state mental hospital.
- Q: How should I care for this hardcover book? A: To keep this book in good condition, store it upright in a dry place. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading.
- Q: Can I return this book if I’m not satisfied? A: Yes, you can return this book if unsatisfied, typically within a specified return period. Be sure to check the return policy for specific details.
- Q: What if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, contact customer support immediately. They can assist with a return or replacement.
- Q: Is this book part of a series? A: No, this book is a standalone publication. It focuses specifically on the topic of state mental hospitals.
- Q: Is there any hazardous material in this book? A: No, this book does not contain any hazardous materials. It is safe for general reading.
- Q: What kind of audience would appreciate this book? A: This book is suitable for adults and professionals interested in architecture, history, and mental health. It appeals to those who appreciate documentary photography.