Brian Dettmer

I'm really into this whole book art project, and after being introduced to the artist Brian Dettmer, I really want to do a blog post on  his work because it is awesome and fascinating.

Saturation Will Result, 2011, Set of encyclopedias with pedestal, 34-1/2" x 27" x 11-3/8" (46-1/2" x 35" x 16" with pedestal)

Tower of Babble, 2011, Paperback books, acrylic medium, 28” x 10-1/2” x 10-1/2”

 
 The Facts on File, 2011, Hardcover book, acrylic medium, 9-1/2" x 8-1/8" x 2-1/2"


I want to describe the first image "Saturation will result"  a clever title, playing of  the idea of a water wheel and the fact that it is made of encyclopedias that can "saturate a reader with knowledge". The artist has glued the covers of the 22 volumes back to front and the inside out books have naturally formed and arch or a circular shape. Brian has allowed the pages to fall against one another forming a "wheel". The pages of the encyclopedia have been strategically carved away, revealing select images--they are large colorful and highly intricate.  The revealed images appear to cascade down the center of the wheel reminiscent of water spilling off a water wheel. 

 The caving is impeccable, but for me one of the most beautiful things about Brian's work are the flowing organic shapes that the books themselves form (neither of my other two pasted pictures are good examples of this).  The books are shaped so that they might look like a polished bolder, an invertebrates shell, maybe a soft, strange caterpillar.  The books can also look like pieces of machinery with complex inner workings and purpose.

Brian Dettmer, born in Chicago, currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia is very well know for his work in antiquated medias, especially books.  He has received tons of acclaim earning covers in the New York and La Times and even having his work featured on a network new hour.  Brian Dettmer sees the book and the information within the book as an antiquated form of knowledge that no longer quite fits into this digital age.  The physical material and history of the book is slipping into history and may be lost forever. In and a world where our information is intangible much of our knowldege and information may be complely lost.  Brian Dettmer attempts to bring a new relavance to the bound book with his work.  In his words, " By altering physical forms of information and shifting preconceived functions, new and unexpected roles emerge. This is the area I currently operate in. Through meticulous excavation or concise alteration I edit or dissect communicative objects or systems such as books, maps, tapes and other media. The medium’s role transforms. Its content is recontextualized and new meanings or interpretations emerge."