Book autopsies

[ellen_datlow]

As a book lover and collector, I have very mixed feelings about Brian Dettmer's art: he carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered three-dimensional sculptures.

Book Autopsies


Yes, the results are sometimes gorgeous and always interesting, but I feel badly about the books he defaces --which include a book of Rembrandt's Paintings.

Comments

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

I'm not being a smartaleck when I say this, but is it okay if the books were already damaged or otherwise open for this sort of work? (I feel the same way about fossils, and I have no problems with similar work done with very common or very damaged specimens that wouldn't have a particular value otherwise. Seeing ammonites cut in half and etched to highlight the anatomical detail is just the beginning.)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I know you're not. Sure, I guess it would be fine. And the use of very bad old novels (he does work with only text) wouldn't bother me very much. Art dealers sometimes cut up books and sell the illustrations/art inside for a lot of money. While I think it's awful that they've destroyed the books (which may or may not have been damaged beyond repair), that wouldn't prevent me from buying such a piece of art (I've done so)--and I could see buying one of Dettmer's pieces--which is why I have mixed feelings.

I have no problem with ammonite jewelry and I love fossils.

[ianrandalstrock.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. On the other hand, I've seen some books hanging around the house and used book stores which you know are completely unwanted (for instance, there are more than 400 copies available on Amazon.com, and the cheapest 50 are listed at one cent each), so this at least gives them a new purpose.

I'm also not entirely sure how he's doing it. Are all those pictures already in the books (in which case, I'd guess books without illustration would be safe from him), or is he modifying them a bit in addition to carving them? Either way, they're interesting.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Right. Unwanted books being repurposed is better than pulping them.

He's using only material from the actual book. There's at least one example of an all-text book--to me that wouldn't be as interesting to look at. Scroll down and you can see it: The ....of American English is the title of the book.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, that's gorgeous.

...if you decide you don't like me anymore, I understand.

But it's still beautiful.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm a meat eater and fur wearer who loves animals--if I can live with that, I can live with thinking mutilated books are beautiful, too ;-)

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

I think I own a copy of that Household Medical Guide. I'd never thought of it as art before.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

See? So do you think you can create something beautiful out of it? ;-)

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

Probably not with the book itself. Not like that, anyway! (I certainly wouldn't have thought of using the Cushing's Syndrome illuatration!) I've gotten stories out of medical stuff before, though.

Yes, I know, I'm weird. ;)

I do feel sad about the books, though.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Maybe you'd like someone (http://www.evilrooster.com/) who handbinds books.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Some of those are interesting, too.

[msisolak.livejournal.com]

Other areas of creativity have this issue. Just mention chopping up an old quilt to make a stuffed animal or a vest out of it, and certain quilters come unstitched.

I'm comfortable with quilt recycling as long as 1. the quilts are far past being usable as a quilt, and 2. the quilts don't possess historical, sentimental, monetary, and/or artistic merit.

I think the same applies to books. If the end result is more (which, in my opinion, it is here) than the materials one began with, I can't be too saddened.

Unless, he's slicing into a copy of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" with those gorgeous illos by Kay Nielsen that I covet. But I think typical price precludes that. :)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I think you're right. I had a favorite 1940s dress that I wore till it was literally falling apart. I occasionally thought about saving some of the fabric in order to re-use it for a pillow or something. Never happened though.

[plattcave.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of an artist named Thomas M. Allen, who creates works of art out of old paperbacks: http://www.foleygallery.com/artists/artist_ins.php3?artist=8

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

ooh. I like those.

Also, during Christmas season at the Union Square market, there are people who use old books to make boxes and clocks and other things.

Here are other uses for old books:
http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/turn-a-book-into-a-clock-225316.php
http://www.bookboxcompany.com/
http://www.rebound-designs.com/
I have a purse made from a book--Pat Cadigan bought it for me!