Somatyczny narcyzm w służbie biopolityki? Data-selfie jako narzędzie autoprezentacji i samokontroli w projektach bioartystycznych

The aim of the article is to present and analyse the phenomenon described by the author as ‘somatic narcissism’. It is a category that refers to self-tracking, i.e. techniques and strategies of self-parameterisation which aim to control, optimise and extend bodily and self-cognitive functions. As a form of self-expression and self-presentation, they are a new manifestation of narcissistic inclinations closely related to biopolitical mechanisms. The category of ‘somatic narcissism’ has been derived from the concept of Richard Shusterman’s somaesthetics and Nikolas Rose’s ethopolitics, revealing a reservoir of biopolitical normative tendencies that are aimed at the (self-)formation of the individual. Theoretical findings are discussed along with an analysis of artistic projects that illustrate the two poles of the described tendencies. The first one includes productions by Laurie Frick and Jacek Smolicki, which in an enthusiastic manner show new self-presentation options based on self-tracking and identity formation processes. The second is represented by Zach Blas whose work offers a critical assessment of the use of biometric tools for the purposes of self-creation. Juxtaposing them, the article shows different artistic approaches to the phenomenon of ‘somatic narcissism’.