Dirk and Jenny aren’t like normal couples. Their sentiments are: to love one another, to support one another and to share a lot of their private time together. The only thing that sets them apart is Jenny is a ‘real doll’ that Dirk bought for 6,000 euros (that’s $6,750).
Dirk and Jenny have a fixed daily schedule. Every evening at 6 pm they are sitting on the sofa watching television
They have been living together in Dirk’s flat for 4 years now, after Dirk suffered a breakdown from feeling lonely. With Neil Young’s Such a Woman playing, they tied the knot in Dirk’s flat, and instead of a wedding ring, he gifted her a heart shaped pendant on a chain.
What sets their relationship apart from that of simply a sex doll is that Dirk has forged a true genuine relationship with Jenny. He can hear her, talk to her and “perceive her soul”, believing she speaks back.
Documenting the couple’s day to day lives,the photographer, Sandra Hoyn, discovered the 40-year-old man bathed Jenny on Sundays, they wrote a blog together and watched football in front of the TV side by side. Dirk, however, hasn’t told any of his family or friends, including his child from a previous marriage. When he has guests he conceals her in his bedroom and dims the lights.
The photographer’s biggest challenge, was coming to terms with treating Jenny as the person Dirk sees her to be; to not to just see the doll just as a doll, but to “recognize what the man sees and loves in her”. She actually started to feel her presence, and when Jenny was put in bed for a ‘sleep’, actually felt her voice volume lowering, afraid of waking her.
“I can’t live without love. My loneliness destroyed me.”. Dirk says of his silicone doll. Dirk carrying Jenny into the bathroom. He always has to remove the door so that Jenny fits through. “Jenny is such a sensitive being. She is so helpless.”. He said.
“Jenny gives me security. I never want to live without her again. I am moved from her words. The purity, serenity and honesty of her speaking.”.
“Jenny likes to wear beautiful clothes. But she does not care for brands.” Every Sunday Dirk washes her lace lingerie and wigs.
Dirk powders and massages Jenny’s feet. He cares for her silicone skin every Sunday after bathing to keep it soft.
