Drool Worthy: Brian Dettmer’s Book Sculptures

Whoa. Artist Brian Dettmer on his breathtaking book sculptures, process.

In this work I begin with an existing book and seal its edges, creating an enclosed vessel full of unearthed potential. I cut into the surface of the book and dissect through it from the front. I work with knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve one page at a time, exposing each layer while cutting around ideas and images of interest. Nothing inside the books is relocated or implanted, only removed. Images and ideas are revealed to expose alternate histories and memories. My work is a collaboration with the existing material and its past creators and the completed pieces expose new relationships of the book’s internal elements exactly where they have been since their original conception.

— Brian Dettmer

Stop by Artinfo.com for a very nifty time-lapse video of a work in progress or hear him speak about “celebrating” and sculpting books here.

(via HuffPo Books, Brian Dettmer on Flickr)