4,4,4&2
Now available: 4,4,4&2, the groundbreaking finale of our work to rewrite the story of dementia, printed using disappearing ink
At a time when dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, mainstream media refuses to share any narrative outside of loss and incapacity. A flattened experience, devoid of potential or promise, is perpetuated – often devoid of the voice of anyone living with dementia themselves. As public perception remains clouded by fear, stigma and sensationalised headlines, those diagnosed – and those who care for them – are often left feeling voiceless and without agency to affect change.
To begin to address this, our work uses creativity to inspire and empower those undertaking their dementia journeys – centring their lived experience and supporting them to share their stories to foster empathy, understanding and meaningful change in how our society views and responds to this condition.
First begun in 2020, it’s with great poignancy that we prepare to share with you the finale of this vital project – 4,4,4&2.
A cultural first, the publication serves as a living, evolving book that mirrors the cognitive changes which can take place during the dementia journey. Mapping the life of Maggie Watson, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia in 2021, the book combines personal artefacts and cherished mementoes in a ‘living cookbook’ printed using an innovative disappearing ink.
Each copy is as wholly unique as the individuals we’ve cherished working with throughout this project – warping, fading and transforming over time to mirror the progressive, unpredictable and highly personalised nature of dementia. Rebuking the misconception that individuals themselves fade away following diagnosis, instead 4,4,4&2 mimics the brain itself – revealing and concealing information in a manner never before seen in publishing, mapped to the size of the average human brain. Each copy is printed in-house with disappearing ink and finished by hand by our small team.
But 4,4,4&2 is more than a book; it’s a call to action. A challenge to see beyond the statistics and the medical jargon, to listen to the voices of those living with dementia and recognise the person behind the diagnosis. We hope the publication will serve as a bridge – connecting lived experience with wider society to ensure a better future for all.
For press materials and further details, visit the press page.