Black Book Twice (2024) is a conceptual photobook functioning as a deliberate bootleg and critical reappropriation, the book directly mimics Christopher Wool's iconic 1989 Black Book.
Girard’s version reproduces Wool's 17 original word paintings, but with a crucial alteration: every image is printed twice (recto and verso). This intervention intentionally scrambles the original sequencing, generating new, unintended double-page word combinations that render Wool's original narrative unreadable. The title "Twice" functions dually as a descriptor of this double-printing method and a nod to the fact that this is essentially a second version of Wool’s highly sought-after edition. Through this process, Girard uses the book as a vehicle to question and challenge the boundaries of authorship and copyright.
The book is an oversized softcover matching the exact dimensions of Wool’s 1989 original. It is risograph printed and sewn bound. It also comes housed in a black fabric bag, referencing the blank black covers of the original Wool book.
The edition is limited to 350 copies. However, in an additional conceptual layer designed to create confusion, Girard printed the exact same edition number ("75/350") and photocopied facsimile signatures in every single copy. As a result, no copy is genuinely hand-signed or uniquely numbered, despite appearing to be.
Black Book Twice (2024) is a conceptual photobook functioning as a deliberate bootleg and critical reappropriation, the book directly mimics Christopher Wool's iconic 1989 Black Book.
Girard’s version reproduces Wool's 17 original word paintings, but with a crucial alteration: every image is printed twice (recto and verso). This intervention intentionally scrambles the original sequencing, generating new, unintended double-page word combinations that render Wool's original narrative unreadable. The title "Twice" functions dually as a descriptor of this double-printing method and a nod to the fact that this is essentially a second version of Wool’s highly sought-after edition. Through this process, Girard uses the book as a vehicle to question and challenge the boundaries of authorship and copyright.
The book is an oversized softcover matching the exact dimensions of Wool’s 1989 original. It is risograph printed and sewn bound. It also comes housed in a black fabric bag, referencing the blank black covers of the original Wool book.
The edition is limited to 350 copies. However, in an additional conceptual layer designed to create confusion, Girard printed the exact same edition number ("75/350") and photocopied facsimile signatures in every single copy. As a result, no copy is genuinely hand-signed or uniquely numbered, despite appearing to be.