The Eternal Substitute explores themes of absence and presence through a visual strategy that highlights the concept of representation and mediation. Lisa Oppenheim’s approach investigates the idea of something standing in for something else, drawing attention to the shadows and traces left behind in the photographic process.

The book’s images present a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to consider how memory and history are captured and transformed in photography. The work focuses on the tension between original and copy, reality and simulation, offering a nuanced examination of photographic reproduction.

Published by Hatje Cantz in 2026, The Eternal Substitute spans 228 pages, providing a substantial engagement with its conceptual and visual themes.