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

[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.