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.)

[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.

[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.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

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

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

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

[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. :)

[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