At the start of 2024, I was invited to create the introductory page for the "Cypherpunks Mailing List" chapter in Smashtoshi book. I provided a photograph of a disassembled puzzle featuring the faces of cypherpunks who laid the foundation for Bitcoin. Satoshi Nakamoto, never appearing on the mailing list, is the missing puzzle piece. This photograph followed an entire creative process.
196 PIECE PUZZLE + POSTER + BOX
9 COLOR SCREEN PRINT / 21 COPIES
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THE IDEA
While sketching the Cypherpunks Mailing List, I saw history fitting like a puzzle, but Satoshi was missing. This led me to visualize the mailing list as a puzzle where all paths lead to Satoshi. I researched the Cypherpunks Mailing Archives and Bitcoin Wiki for informations and whole internet for portraits of cypherpunks, but many were unavailable, influencing the final selection.
MAKING PORTRAITS
Each portrait was AI-generated from a single source image using the vintage engraving style. I refined details in Photoshop—adding Adam Back’s glasses and restoring Hal Finney’s smile. Other collage elements were also AI-generated with the same prompt.
HUMANISING ARTIFICIAL PORTRAITS
To counter AI’s synthetic quality, I used Gelli print, an analog technique transferring xerographic copies onto paper, adding imperfections. Each element was Gelli printed, scanned, and incorporated into the collage.
SCREEN PRINTING PUZZLE
The collage was digitally printed in a 70x70 cm format, cut into puzzle pieces, and photographed for Smashtoshi book. Holding the sample, I decided to create a screen-printed edition of 21 hand-printed copies. The artwork was divided into nine parts for a 35x35 cm puzzle cutter. The digital version was full-color, but screen printing required simplifying to nine colors. Finished prints were mounted on thick puzzle paper and cut precisely.
SIGNING AND PACKING #1/21
The assembled puzzles were signed and numbered, then photographed, wrapped in silk paper and placed in a custom box, featuring a sticker linking to the digital certificate of authenticity. This allowed viewing the contents without opening and preserving collector’s value.
SCREEN PRINTING POSTER
The 50x60 cm poster, printed on both sides (9/1 colors, glossy paper, 21 copies), included the puzzle image on the front and explanations on the back. Revisiting Cypherpunks Mailing Archives, I found I had mistakenly included David Chaum, who was not part of the mailing list. I numbered, signed, and trimmed the prints to 25x30 cm using a manual cutter, ensuring they fit into the box.
SCREEN PRINTING BOX
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
The digital certificate was stored on the Bitcoin blockchain via Verisart.com, containing a photo record of the box’s contents: the assembled puzzle (signed and numbered), the front and back of the poster, and the box’s bottom with the certificate number. Issued by the artist, the certificate transfers ownership to the artwork’s holder.