A friend of mine does book sculptures and the amount of patience and perseverence required not to mention a steady hand. New yorkbased artist brian dettmer creates impressively intricate multilayered sculptures from books. Curated by michelle tillou at the springbreak art show ny. Book autopsies brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered threedimensional sculptures. The photograph gallery wagnalls wheel, 2010, altered set of encyclopedias what brian dettmer does with books is thoughtsblowing. Delicate requirements, 2009, altered books destiny far quick fall remaining, 2009, altered ebook home of tongues, 2010, altered guide science within the twentieth century, 2009, altered guide compiled upon a new plan, 2010, altered books the story of. Feb 06, 2015 what do you do with an outdated encyclopedia in the information age. Book art that will melt your brain brian dettmer aka the book surgeon brian dettmer does amazing sculpture using books. A large body of his current work is created by altering vintage books.
He looks for text and pictures to save, and cuts away the rest. Brian dettmer born 1974 is an american contemporary artist. Last weeks video was a meditation on letterpress printing and the book as a physical object. Learn about the artist and see available works for sale. See more ideas about brian dettmer, book sculpture and book art. Atlantabased artist brian dettmer creates marvelous sculptures by performing surgery on books. Intricate book art carvings by brian dettmer twistedsifter. Dettmers work has a sort of vintage touch to it because he uses old books maps, encyclopedias, textbooks, manuals, and any other sort of literature that he can turn into an interesting. To see a bit of his process, watch his profile on cbs news. If that was a serious question and not an attempt to get attention perhaps you should actually write to brian dettmer.
Whats even more amazing is that he doesnt plan ahead before he carves. Mar 20, 2008 brian dettmer s insanely creative book autopsies. Unbelievable book carvings let books tell another story. Brian dettmer, a new yorkbased artist known as the book surgeon, uses tweezers, knives, scalpels and other surgical tools to dissect and carve old books into intricate and beautiful sculptures. Jul 07, 2014 to say that new yorker brian dettmers book autopsies are complex is a massive understatement, as the work here proves. Sculptor and book enthusiast brian dettmer comes to haverford college on october 22nd. A large body of his current work is created by altering vintage books and assembling sets of books into intricate and innovative sculptures. Jul 19, 20 brian dettmer, also known as the book surgeon uses knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve old dictionaries and encyclopedias into incredible works of art. Artist brian dettmer makes sculptures by carving books.
Until 2006, dettmer lived in and around chicago, where he earned his ba in 1997 from columbia college chicago camper 2005. Sep 12, 2009 americana 2009 altered encyclopedia volumes by brian dettmer 40. Our mission is to see a book in every childs hand and we have spread the joy of reading to millions of children in india. See more ideas about handmade books, book art and handmade. And i thought layered candle carving was intricate. Book surgeon uses surgical tools to make incredible book. Sep 21, 2007 book autopsies brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered threedimensional sculptures.
Brian dettmer, a 1997 graduate of columbia college chicago, has created quite the buzz in the art circuit doing precisely this. May 31, 2009 brian dettmers solution for recycling cassette tapes and encyclopedia obsolescence. He uses nothing but sheets of paper and brings to life many exotic creatures including lions, pandas and zebras. Apr 7, 2016 brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered threedimensional sculptures. Altered, sculpted, carved, transformed heyenga, laura, dettmer, brian, kuhn, alyson on. He makes creative use of books as an artwork medium. His artwork is technically proficient to the point of virtuosity. Oct 14, 2016 explore amazing book carvings, 3d book installations, and book towers created by brian dettmer. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Brian dettmer is represented by packer schopf gallery, chicago, toomeytourell fine art, san francisco and haydee rovirosa. Great art book autopsies with images book art, art. Performancebased and conceptual art practices emerged as an alternative to object.
Brian dettmers solution for recycling cassette tapes and encyclopedia obsolescence. Brian dettmer, also known as the book surgeon uses knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve old dictionaries and encyclopedias into incredible works of art. Dettmer treats his book sculptures like archaeological sites by excavating forms and uncovering hidden meanings. It includes historical perspectives, a look at ethical considerations, and reasons for performing an autopsy. Brian dettmer lives and works in atlanta, georgia education 1997 b. A leitmotif of our modern age is captured with grace and humor in the artwork of brian dettmer. The artist calls himself the book surgeon because he uses knives, tweezers, and surgical tools to carve the art works out of old medical journals, illustration books, dictionaries, map books and encyclopedias. Dettmer is a leading artist working with the object of the book. Brian dettmers insanely creative book autopsies jason fried wrote this on mar 20 2008 27 comments. Born in 1974, in chicago, brian dettmer studied art at. Dettmers work has been exhibited internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions at galleries, museums and art centers including the smothsonaian d. See more ideas about art, brian dettmer and book sculpture. Sep 23, 20 brian dettmer carves books, altering them from literary works to artworks.
Born in chicago but currently living and working out of atlanta, georgia, contemporary artist brian dettmer creates incredible works of art with. A conversation with book sculptor brian dettmer jennifer paull mar 26, 2012 artist brian dettmer approaches books with knives, tweezers, and blade. Brian dettmer is known for his artwork that involves the alteration of information media. The book autopsies of brian dettmer book sculpture, book. Brian dettmer, new funk standards, 2017, hardcover book, acrylic varnish, 12.
Find the latest shows, biography, and artworks for sale by brian dettmer. He is noted for his alteration of preexisting mediasuch as old books, maps, record albums, and. The book surgeon brian dettmer uses scissors,knives and books to creat his sculpture. Atlanta artist brian dettmer creates memorable works of art by slicing, whittling and tearing into books. Watch the timelapse video above to see the entire project come together, the volunteers worked through the night for five days to finish in time. Amazing book sculpture brian dettmer, what a great idea for an old dictionary book artart carved out of books. If youre a fan of book art, you probably know the works of brian dettmer. Born in 1974, in chicago, brian dettmer studied art at colombia college, where he focused mainly on painting. After carefully selecting the source and subject for his investigations, dettmer determines the architecture of construction and aesthetics of presentation for his. Nov 07, 2011 intricate book art carvings by brian dettmer artwork by brian dettmer born in chicago but currently living and working out of atlanta, georgia, contemporary artist brian dettmer creates incredible works of art with old books and tremendous patience. This is certainly both insane and creative american artist, brian dettmer, creates threedimensional sculptures by carving into books with the use of scalpels, tweezers and other medical instruments. A metaphorical and sculptural autopsy has been performed to. Prayson offers insight into the importance of autopsy as a method of discovering new medical information, how autopsies are done, and what they can reveal about how a person lived and died.
Brian dettmer turns books into sculptural pieces sfgate. Selective collective memories, is in the east gallery of the albany museum of art. Dettmers tactile booksculptures are metaphors for the decline of natural. He is noted for his alteration of preexisting mediasuch as old books, maps, record albums, and cassette tapesto create new. Continuing that theme, heres a ted talk from artist brian dettmer, who painstakingly carves old books into amazing sculptures. Artist brian dettmer challenges media that has been cast aside.
Dettmers work has a sort of vintage touch to it because he uses old books maps, encyclopedias, textbooks, manuals, and any other sort of literature that he can turn into an interesting piece of art. Artist brian dettmer digs into a good book literally, with a knife to create beautifully intricate forms that reflect how we see old information in a modern world. Brian dettmer creates sculpture by surgically removing bits of pages from books. A metaphorical and sculptural autopsy has been performed to investigate the conditions that led to the books demise and the potential consequences of this loss. John, dont look youll be mortified at whats being done to books. Book autopsies artist, brian dettmer scouring fine art related forums, i found myself curious about one contemporary artist in specific, brian dettmer. He uses an array of precision instruments to create or reveal patterns within a given book or set of books, often taking advantage of the particular appearance, form and content of his subject material. A significant and notable body of dettmers work is created by altering books without inserting or moving any of the books contents.
The art of the book,seager gray gallery,mill valley, california, usa 2018. Brian dettmer artwork video exhibitions bibliography collections bio cv contact 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 20 2012 2011 2010. To create his works dettmer seals the object with varnish, then swiftly and deftly moves through it with an xacto knife until he comes out the other side, cutting away material to form something new. Brian dettmer book sculptures the brooklyn refinery. Why you should listen new yorkbased artist brian dettmer carves intricate sculptures from outdated materials like encyclopedias, textbooks, maps and cassette tapes. Brian dettmer is a new yorkbased artist known for his detailed and innovative sculptures with books and other forms of antiquated media. Originally from chicago and now living and working in atlanta, brian dettmer is known for his detailed and innovative sculptures with books and other forms of antiquated media. Brian dettmer, the world at home, 2019, hardcover books, acrylic varnish. Brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered threedimensional sculptures. Artist makes highpriced sculptures from old books youtube.
New yorkbased artist brian dettmer carves intricate sculptures from outdated materials like encyclopedias, textbooks, maps and cassette tapes. When asked to describe his art in a recent interview with outside the artist s studio, dettmer waffles, describing it in a single breath as mixed media, sculpture. The books are cut by hand and no text or image is repositioned to create the final autopsy. Brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered three. Book art carvings by brian dettmer brian dettmer born naperville, il is a new yorkbased artist known for his detailed and innovative sculptures with books and other forms of antiquated media. Dettmers booksculptures profound in meaning and impact. May 2, 20 brian dettmer, also known as the book surgeon uses knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve old dictionaries and encyclopedias into incredible works of art. Mark strassmann reports on dettmers vision for a vanishing form of art. Brian dettmer is a kind of book surgeon, performing autopsies on old volumes with engaging threedimensional results. Brian dettmer takes a scalpel to old books to reveal their inner meaning and calls them book autopsies. What georgiabased artist brian dettmer does to books would make any bibliophile or librarian cringe. Each piece takes around four weeks to produce and in some. Brian dettmers insanely creative book autopsies signal v. With xacto knives and an eye for a good remix, artist brian dettmer makes beautiful, unexpected sculptures that breathe new.
Brian dettmer sifts through stacks of old books to uncover the perfect source and subject for his sculptural examinations. Bookish book sculpture, paper art sculpture, book art. Nothing inside the outofdate encyclopedias, medical. The book autopsies of brian dettmer book artwork, brian. I think this is one of the simplest works ive seen by brian dettmer, but thats probably due to the linear nature of written music. He alters preexisting materials by selectively removing and manipulating elements as a way to allow new interpretations and ideas to emerge. Altered books by brian dettmer altered book art, book. His work has been exhibited internationally in galleries, museums, and art centers and has gained international acclaim through internet bloggers and traditional media. Scottish artist who uses a scalpel instead of a brush or a pen, creating constructions that transform found ephemera, such as books, music scores, maps, newspapers, currency and photographs. The end result is a complex sculpture with hidden meanings and interpretations. For the book autopsies brian takes old books which have ceased to be valued for their content and gives them new life as art objects. Based in new york, he is one of the most influential artists working with books and paper. Life and art brian dettmer, born in 1974, was raised in naperville, illinois.
Books find new life as sculpture at the hands of brooklyn artist brian dettmer. He has a show opening april 3 at chicagos packer schopf gallery. Brian dettmer book art absolute authority, hardcover book, acrylic medium, x x image courtesy of the artist and wexler gallery turning text into art. Artist uses surgical tools to carve books into stunning. Reading a boing boing post about brians work i was interested in a commenter who said they would prefer brian to make their own books to treat in this. Old books, cassette tapes, records and maps are the artists medium.
There are more images on these websites and on brians flickr stream cutouts, book artists and bookleteer. Brian dettmers solution for recycling cassette tapes and. Catch him on in the insc rotunda on tuesday the 22nd and thursday the 24th while he carves a brand new work of art out of his choice materialbooks. Altered books by brian dettmer art decoration design. Brian dettmers insanely creative book autopsies signal.
If that was a serious question and not an attempt to get. Until 2006, dettmer lived in and around chicago, where he earned a ba in fine arts. Using knives, tweezers and surgical tools, brian dettmer carves one page at a time. The book autopsies of brian dettmer oddity central. Brian dettmer, born in 1974, was raised in naperville, illinois. Amazing artistic book art, not a wasted page and a story of its own. Brian dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside. Book autopsies artist, brian dettmer written by theecarey. Pam ccm artwork i like paper artist calvin nicholls is the artist behind these amazing sculptures.
He uses a takeaway process, using a skilled and patient editing artfulness, digging through layers of a books pages. Fascinating book and paper art by brian dettmer pictures. Check out the amazing work of artist brian dettmer. See more ideas about brian dettmer, altered books and book sculpture. Sep 06, 2007 dettmer is currently based in atlanta, where he works full time as an artist. Brian dettmer sculpts the pages of old books, excavating and revealing new meaning from this old form of media. Artwork by brian dettmer born in chicago but currently living and working out of atlanta, georgia, contemporary artist brian dettmer creates incredible works of art with old books and. As intangible routes thrive with quicker fluidity, material and history are. To say that new yorker brian dettmers book autopsies are complex is a massive understatement, as the work here proves. Intricate book art carvings by brian dettmer artwork by brian dettmer born in chicago but currently living and working out of atlanta, georgia, contemporary artist brian dettmer creates incredible works of art with old books and tremendous patience. The university of mississippi museum brian dettmer. Americana 2009 altered encyclopedia volumes by brian dettmer 40. Brian dettmer s insanely creative book autopsies jason fried wrote this on mar. Mar 26, 2012 a conversation with book sculptor brian dettmer jennifer paull mar 26, 2012 artist brian dettmer approaches books with knives, tweezers, and bladesharp ideas about the meanings of media and information.
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