I began this project after the sudden death of a family friend at age twenty. Reflecting on what was left behind in his room, I became interested in how everyday possessions acquire emotional significance after someone has passed.

To further explore this concept, I asked friends and family which object of mine they would keep if I were no longer here. I collected the chosen items, swabbed them for bacteria, and cultured the samples in petri dishes. After one week of growth, I created microscope slides and photographed the resulting bacterial colonies using a Canon 5DSR mounted to a microscope. I also collected handwritten text from the individuals who selected each item, in which they explain their choices.

The abstractions function as a form of self-portraiture assembled through the perspectives of others. The objects were chosen without my input, mirroring the lack of control we have over how we are remembered. By transforming these material possessions into microscopic images, I aim to explore what persists beyond physical absence, and how memory is carried through the things we leave behind.

I was responsible for all stages of this photobook’s production, including photography, design, printing, and binding. This is the first edition of an evolving body of work.

Email to purchase a copy. (ahmadjassia@gmail.com)