An empty chair signifies absence and arouses curiosity about its user. Who used to sit there? The photo albums collected by Erik Kessels contain lots of empty chairs. On a beach, or at a table, or at a formal occasion. By compiling them chronologically, they form a kind of time travel from the early 20^th century until today. The book is accompanied by a real ‘empty chair’ with room beneath the seat to store the book. [text 2023]