RELIC 06: THE CLOUD
Precision-engraved 1/1 metal artwork
A singular work exploring artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and the physical architecture behind the cloud.
Two 1/1 works — Aluminium & Titanium
RELIC 05: FUSION TITANIUM
Introducing RELIC 05: FUSION — the fifth work in the RELIC series of singular metal artworks by Charles Lethaby.
Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.
FUSION explores the extraordinary architecture of a fusion reactor — a machine created to contain one of the most fundamental processes in the universe. Inspired by the structures and systems of experimental fusion technology, the composition transforms its complex engineering into a dense, symmetrical study of energy, precision and human ambition.
The artwork is permanently laser engraved into the titanium surface, rather than printed or applied. Areas of exposed metal interact with the deep engraved detail, allowing the image to shift in character as light moves across its surface.
The titanium is carefully finished to retain its distinctive metallic character, creating subtle variations in tone and reflection that reinforce the physical nature of the work.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89mm × 64mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.
RELIC 05: FUSION is a singular exploration of the machinery behind humanity's pursuit of controlled fusion — an attempt to capture, contain and harness the process that powers the stars.
Introducing RELIC 05: FUSION — the fifth work in the RELIC series of singular metal artworks by Charles Lethaby.
Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.
FUSION explores the extraordinary architecture of a fusion reactor — a machine created to contain one of the most fundamental processes in the universe. Inspired by the structures and systems of experimental fusion technology, the composition transforms its complex engineering into a dense, symmetrical study of energy, precision and human ambition.
The artwork is permanently laser engraved into the anodised aluminium surface, rather than printed or applied. The engraving removes the dark anodised finish to reveal the aluminium beneath, creating a striking contrast between the exposed metal and surrounding surface.
The anodised aluminium has a distinctive dark, finely textured character, allowing the engraved image to respond subtly to changing light and emphasising the physical, material nature of the work.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89mm × 64mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.
RELIC 05: FUSION is a singular exploration of the machinery behind humanity's pursuit of controlled fusion — an attempt to capture, contain and harness the process that powers the stars.
Introducing RELIC 06: THE CLOUD — a singular metal work by Charles Lethaby.
Each RELIC is conceived as a singular 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.
Created in anodised aluminium and Grade 5 titanium, THE CLOUD explores the physical infrastructure behind an increasingly digital world — the vast data centres, networks and energy systems that make the seemingly intangible idea of cloud computing possible.
At the centre of the composition is a monumental data centre, positioned alongside the familiar architecture of everyday life. Homes, vehicles and infrastructure sit beneath a night sky, creating a contrast between the ordinary environments we inhabit and the enormous technological systems increasingly being constructed around them.
The title refers to “the cloud” — a term that suggests something weightless, remote and almost invisible. In reality, the cloud is intensely physical. It exists through vast buildings filled with servers, cooling systems, electrical infrastructure and networks, consuming land, materials and energy in order to store and process an ever-growing volume of digital information.
Rather than depicting digital technology as something abstract, THE CLOUD focuses on the architecture that makes it possible — reflecting the growing physical presence of data infrastructure and its relationship with the communities, landscapes and everyday objects that surround it.
The artwork is permanently laser engraved directly into the metal, rather than printed or applied. Each material responds differently to the engraving and surrounding light, giving the aluminium and titanium editions their own distinct physical character.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89 × 64 mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.
RELIC 06: THE CLOUD is a singular exploration of the physical architecture behind our digital lives — monumental infrastructure built to support something we have come to think of as invisible.
Materials: Anodised Aluminium / Grade 5 Titanium
Format: 89 × 64 mm
Edition: 1/1 in each material
Finish: Individually machined, engraved and finished by hand
