Capturing the Past: Mark Favero’s Photographic Journey Through Forgotten Spaces

What if forgotten places could tell their own stories? Mark Favero’s book, Feel – Northern State Hospital, is a journey through an abandoned asylum, offering viewers a glimpse into a place where time seems to have stopped. By capturing these spaces, Favero preserves not just the physical remnants of the hospital but the emotional echoes of the past. His work is a bridge that connects us to histories we may have left behind, offering a unique perspective on time, memory, and decay.

In Favero’s hands, Northern State Hospital becomes more than a location; it becomes a character in its own right. The peeling paint, rusted bars, and silent hallways each tell stories of lives once confined. Favero’s attention to detail allows us to feel the weight of these forgotten histories, drawing us into the narrative of the building itself. His work reveals that abandoned places are more than empty shells; they are containers of memory, filled with the remnants of human experience.

Favero’s photographs beautifully capture the interplay between human abandonment and nature’s resilience. Over time, nature has begun to reclaim the hospital’s walls and floors. Favero’s images of vines creeping through shattered windows and light streaming into empty rooms are reminders of the cycle of life and the inevitability of change. This natural reclamation process mirrors our own emotional journeys, showing that even in places of despair, there is the possibility of growth and healing.

Favero’s work in Feel–Northern State Hospital is a form of historical preservation. By documenting these spaces, he prevents them from being forgotten. His photographs invite viewers to reflect on how society treated individuals with mental health challenges in the past and to consider how we can better support those who need empathy and care today. Favero’s work is both a visual and emotional archive, preserving a piece of history that resonates with universal themes of resilience and understanding.

Mark Favero’s Feel – Northern State Hospital isn’t just a collection of images; it’s a journey through memory and emotion. His photographs offer us a chance to connect with the past and to reflect on our present. As you explore Favero’s work, consider the stories these images hold and the emotions they evoke. Each image is a reminder that our stories, like these spaces, should be preserved and remembered.