Relics of Self

A photographic artist’s book exploring identity in the age of AI. AI-transformed self-portraits, poetry and handmade processes create a fragmented, shifting portrait of the self.

Self-published artist’s book Relics of Self is one of the five finalist projects for the 2026 Polyptyque Artist Book Prize.

Limited edition of 5 copies, numbered and signed.

Entirely conceived, printed, crafted and assembled in Penmarc’h, Brittany, France.

Relics of Self
• Booklet: 20 × 26 cm
• Black rigid Rössler box (made in Germany): 33.5 × 23 × 2.5 cm

The book brings together:
— thermal prints on paper ribbon,
— laser prints on mulberry paper,
— poems typed on a typewriter onto 70 gsm tracing paper,
— 90 gsm tracing paper cover,
— risograph printing by Faustine Bernard @_faustinebernard at Druck Bar Dessau @druckbardessau (Germany), in two colours: gold and black,
— hand-stitched binding using Miyuki thread (gold or black),
— red wax seal.

Each copy is entirely handmade and may feature slight variations.

Relics of Self is a photographic artist’s book exploring the reconfiguration of the face in the age of artificial intelligence. Starting from iPhone selfies that were subsequently transformed by an AI system that no longer exists, the project gives rise to hybrid figures in which identity is fragmented, multiplied and recomposed.

The book extends this reflection through its materiality. Layers of paper, transparencies, typographic impressions and handmade gestures create a dialogue between contemporary technologies and traditional craft practices. The book becomes a body, a sensitive archive in which each page bears the traces of an identity in constant transformation.