Brian Dettmer's book sculptures

Atlanta-based artist Brian Dettmer creates marvelous sculptures by performing surgery on books. He has a show opening April 3 at Chicago's Packer Schopf Gallery. The gallery kindly sent a few sneak peeks at the new work. Click the images to see them larger. (Thanks, Dominic Paul Moore!)

[#1 posted by Digital Artz , March 19, 2009 4:45 PM]

What a way for an author to end up
as a memorial tombstone on their own book.

[#2 posted by Takuan , March 19, 2009 4:48 PM]

(and PLEASE, no observations about desecration of books as sacred objects - just the art please)

[#3 posted by MasterSauce , March 19, 2009 5:01 PM]

.tiffed!

Anywho.. I think these are incredible. I'm always blown away by these pieces.

[#4 posted by Nelson.C , March 19, 2009 5:51 PM]

These make me feel sadder than watching a bat on a rocket.

[#5 posted by Takuan , March 19, 2009 6:13 PM]

good children's book there though. Have to change the ending.

[#6 posted by TroofSeeker , March 19, 2009 6:15 PM]

Ummm... maybe a good idea with a so-so execution.
Or maybe it's just a dang fire hazard.
Could I see the bat on the rocket again?

[#7 posted by Digital Artz , March 19, 2009 6:49 PM]

I had a bat on a rocket when I was 18 but then
I was drafted and that wasn't beer.

[#8 posted by Anonymous , March 19, 2009 6:50 PM]

The execution on his own site is better. And the concept of "book autopsies" captures it: http://centripetalnotion.com/2007/09/13/13:26:26/

[#9 posted by clockbound , March 19, 2009 7:30 PM]

My favorite part is how incredibly shiny those pages become in the lighting.

Nicely done.

[#10 posted by gez , March 20, 2009 2:01 AM]

These are a beautiful display, and done so well that you feel he shows the utmost respect for the published book. Nice work!

[#11 posted by Auto Parts for Brains , March 20, 2009 6:47 AM]

A real artist is one who can make something magnificent from a common thing such as an unused book. These are just amazing. These sculptures will fit perfectly in a fantasy movie, methinks.

[#12 posted by ginbelle , March 20, 2009 10:04 AM]

People in the Seattle area can see some of Brian Dettmer's work right now at the Bellevue Arts Museum. The exhibition is called The Book Borrowers, and it runs through June 14.

http://bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/current/book_borrowers.htm

[#13 posted by dominicpaulmoore , March 20, 2009 10:44 AM]

i just spoke with Brian, and he told me that he never intended to have these pieces described as or called "Book Autopsies" although a perfectly understandable surface level description of his work.

his personally maintained sites:

http://www.briandettmer.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briandettmer/

[#14 posted by HowardsGrl , March 20, 2009 11:40 AM]

I don't know why, but when I look at these I feel 'funny'...as in funny in my tummy and in my girly parts...like a sense of longing mixed in with squeamishness.

[#15 posted by Marcy , March 20, 2009 1:52 PM]

Since I just finished reading If on a Winter's Night a Traveler, I'm thinking the artist may have come across that particular book, too . . .

[#16 posted by LOSERKID , March 20, 2009 8:21 PM]

that is so kol its wow!!!

[#17 posted by SassafrassWinterSolstice , March 30, 2009 11:16 AM]

The link provided by post #8 perfectly portrays the essence of Brian Dettmer's creations via great detailed shots.

Absolutely breath taking work Brian Dettmer!

Brian's artistry captures the magic, beauty, and mystery of written words and the pictorial representations of such books, encyclopedias, etc. and mixes it all together in a dream-like fashion.

If I was fortunate enough to be an author of some written form of expression - I would be honored to have my work reinterpreted in such a clever way.