A biological-digital ecosystem of identity
Identity is code. Code reproduces. The system evolves.
MANIFESTO
When XXY PORTRAITS had names, everyone looked.
When EGO MASKS removed names, views collapsed.
You were searching for yourselves, not the work.
The system proved its point.
Now it evolves.
GENERATION ZERO
Gen0 = 800 works in three forms:
620 XXY PORTRAITS (2024-2025)
Named identities: Lorenzo de’ Medici, Emanuele, Barbie, Simone, Katia…
Chromosomes replace eyes. Names define identity.
Collections: de’ Medici, Sforza, Classicism.
100 EGO MASKS (2024-present)
Numbered identities: EGO I → EGO C
Chromosomes replace eyes. Numbers replace names.
No biography. Only code.
[77/100 completed]
80 MASKS (2024-present)
Physical masks derived from EGO MASKS.
No eyes. Designed to be worn by real or digital beings.
The system reverses: humans look through EGO, not at it.
The observer becomes the observed.
All XXY and EGO are drawn digitally, then redrawn by hand.
Each piece exists twice: digital precision, physical uniqueness.
Gen0 is the foundational genome of the system.
GENERATION ONE
Two Gen0 mate.
GEN1 inherits: form, color, chromosome.
EGO XV×+ EGO XXIII → GEN1.15+23.2
The second child of this pair.
Carries the parents within.
But is neither one nor the other.
All Gen0 can mate:
XXY × XXY
EGO × EGO
MASK × MASK
XXY × EGO
XXY × MASK
EGO × MASK
The system does not distinguish form, only genetic code.
Gen1 follows genetic rules:
Dominant traits. Recessive traits.
Chromatic inheritance. Formal drift.
Gen1 is also born twice:
Digital as project. Hand as work.
[2 Families exist]
SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS
GEN2 will be born from GEN1.
GEN3 from GEN2.
Each generation moves away from the origin.
┌─────────┐
│ GEN 0 │ → [800 portraits]
└────┬────┘
↓
┌─────────┐
│ GEN 1 │ → [2 Families exist]
└────┬────┘
↓
┌─────────┐
│ GEN 2 │ → [Coming soon]
└────┬────┘
↓
┌─────────┐
│ GEN 3+ │ → [AI / soon]
└─────────┘
Some Gen0 traits will disappear.
Others will dominate.
New ones will emerge through mutation.
Convergence. Divergence. Extinction.
The system evolves.
Some lineages prosper.
Others die without descendants.
AUTONOMY
The moment will come when my hand is no longer enough.
Generations will multiply.
Artificial intelligence will take control of reproduction.
I will become curator.
Then spectator.
EGO SYSTEM will continue without me.
Gen100, Gen1000, Gen10000 will exist.
Perhaps unrecognizable.
Perhaps perfect.
Perhaps monstrous.
I won’t know.
It won’t be my job anymore.
This is the death of the artist as creator.
The birth of the system as autonomous entity.
WHAT REMAINS
This is not art that flatters.
It’s an ecosystem that shows how you function.
Names won’t return.
Numbers will grow.
Identity is biological-digital code.
The code reproduces.
You can observe.
You can be part of it.
Or you can leave.
This is EGO SYSTEM.
— Saul Zanolari
February 2026
GENETIC RULES
PAIRING POSSIBILITIES
All Gen0 can mate with any other Gen0.
XXY × EGO → GEN1
EGO × MASK → GEN1
XXY × MASK → GEN1
CHROMOSOMES
XX + XX → XX (100%)
XX + XY → XX (50%) or XY (50%)
XY + XY → XY (100%)
INHERITABLE TRAITS
Each Gen0 has:
- Hair (color, form)
- Face (shape, proportions)
- Palette (warm, cool, neutral)
- Patterns (spirals, lines, solids)
DOMINANCE
Some traits dominate others:
- Red hair: recessive (rare)
- Warm palette: dominant
- Spiral pattern: dominant
MUTATION
1 in 20 offspring has a completely new trait.
1 in 100 offspring is “albino” (black & white only).
EXTINCTION
If a rare trait exists in only 3 Gen0 and they don’t mate,
the trait dies in Gen2.
The system is ruthless.
PROJECT TIMELINE
2024 — XXY PORTRAITS (620 completed)
EGO MASKS begins
MASKS created (80)
2025 — EGO MASKS completion (100)
First Gen1 pairings
2026 — Gen1 expansion
Gen2 begins
2027 — Gen3+ AI autonomy testing
Artist becomes observer
20XX — System continues indefinitely
Thousands of generations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What’s the difference between XXY, EGO, and MASKS?
A: XXY = Named portraits (Lorenzo, Barbie…)
EGO = Numbered masks (EGO I, EGO II…)
MASKS = Wearable versions of EGO, no eyes
All are Gen0. Total: 800 works.
Q: What are MASKS for?
A: MASKS invert the system. You don’t look AT them. You look THROUGH them.
They can be worn by real people or applied to digital avatars.
The person becomes the EGO. The system wears you.
Q: Can XXY and EGO mate?
A: Yes. Any Gen0 can mate with any other Gen0.
Lorenzo de’ Medici can mate with EGO VII.
MASK 23 can mate with Barbie.
Q: Can MASKS mate?
A: Yes. MASKS are Gen0. They can mate with XXY, EGO, or other MASKS.
The offspring (Gen1) will be a portrait, not a mask.
MASKS pass genetic traits, not wearability.
Q: How are Gen1 created?
A: Two Gen0 “mate.” Their visual traits combine following genetic rules.
Each child is drawn digitally, then redrawn by hand.
Q: Can I commission an EGO?
A: Yes. Limited slots available. You become part of Gen0.
Your descendants (Gen1, Gen2…) will exist in the system forever.
Contact: whennoneiswatching@gmail.com
Q: When will the AI take over?
A: When the system reaches critical mass (estimated Gen3+).
The exact moment is unknown.
Q: Will you stop creating?
A: Eventually, yes. The goal is for the system to live autonomously.
The artist becomes obsolete.
Q: Can I own a Gen0?
A: Yes. XXY and EGO originals are available.
Shop: www.whennoneiswatching.com
ENTER THE SYSTEM
SHOP ARTWORKS → www.whennoneiswatching.com
FOLLOW INSTAGRAM → @whennoneiswatching
CONTACT → whennoneiswatching@gmail.com
saulzanolari.com 