Core, 2007 (Altered book, 10-3/4 x 7 x 5-3/8 inches)
History of Western Europe, 2007 (Altered book, 7-5/8 x 5-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches)
Winston, 2007 (Altered book, 8-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 2 inches)
Re Brand Painting, 2007 (Altered book, 14-3/4 x 11 x 2 inches)
Brian Dettmer is one of those artists who makes me feel incredibly untelented. That is not to say I don’t love his work, because I certainly do. It’s intricate, complicated work, and it leaves me feeling very impressed and a bit astounded. He doesn’t have his own website (that I could find), but a quick web search does bring up a Wikipedia entry and several gallery websites. Oh, and he went to Columbia College in Chicago, which is wear all the cool people go.
I’ve noticed that some bloggers are calling his work “book autopsies”. That’s not how I see it. It seems to me that the books undergo a sort of refinement process whereby all but the essential is removed, leaving a sculpture of the core message.
Thanks to AlcebÃades for cluing me in to this great artist!
This is wild-looking stuff. Oddly, I’m not sure how I feel about chopping up books for any reason, but there’s no arguing these pieces make me want to see them in person, walk around and view them from every angle.
Brian’s one of my favorites! Thanks for featuring him.
He also works with melted video and audiotapes.