Happy Sunday!
Today's inspiration is something many book lovers may either love or despise. Contemporary artist Brian Dettmer is a book sculptor. He takes vintage nonfiction books, such as old encyclopedias and medical texts, and turns them into innovative and detailed sculptures. His art, which has been featured in galleries throughout the world, has both its proponents and its critics. Many book lovers appreciate and champion his work, but others assert that what he does is essentially book mutilation. I happen to fall with those who enjoy the beauty of his art, but I'm curious to hear what you think. The first video below tells more about Dettmer and his work; the second features some of his sculptures. Enjoy!
Wishing you all a creative and inspirational Sunday. ☺
Wonderful sculptures , an exquisite result ! For me it is art. I would not like if they are old or rare books . But I'm sure many current authors do not mind if I buy their book to make this wonder !
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want sculptors to use rare books either. I'm not sure how I'd feel if I were an author right now, though...
DeleteHappy Sunday!
Different and very creative!
ReplyDeletePretty amazing, too!
DeleteNothing is quite as outdated as old encyclopedias, so I say he is welcome to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree. You can't pay people to take old encyclopedias off your hands.
DeleteThat's really creative. I think this is better than throwing books away. It's kind of like repurposing them.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. Why not take something old and create a thing of beauty? ☺
DeleteGreat stuff as always, very unique. Happy Sunday, Dana:)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a great day!
DeleteWow, those are wonderful and creative! Happy Sunday! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how he does it. :)
DeleteHappy Sunday.
That's interesting! And he' s right in my home town. I'll have to see if I can find his work at the museum.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing it would be to see his work in person! Let me know if you ever do.
DeleteAmazing I have never seen that before, wonder how be would cope with a Kindle
ReplyDeleteLOL I wonder!
Deletevery nice happy sunday
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Adam!
DeleteDoesn't bother me--and I am one would would not make a mark in a book or bend a corner to bookmark a page. I got used to crafters doing altered book art and if they are not valuable books I am fine with that. It sounds like he used the outdated reference books the most and, if any books become sadly inconsequential, it is outdated reference books. He is unique, patient, and talented. These are wonderful!! I can most fully appreciate the art--yes! :)
ReplyDeleteWe're definitely kindred spirits on this one. :)
DeleteWow. That is just wonderful. I cannot see why people would be bothered. He mentioned that he usually takes book that people would throw out so in the end he is sort of up cycling the trash. Thank you for the great find.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Glad you enjoyed the videos. :)
DeleteAbsolutely amazing! You always find the most wonderful talents. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm just really interested in art and like to learn all that I can. :)
DeleteThat's pretty amazing, actually, and I'm sure not many people could do what he does!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even know where to begin!
DeleteBrillant use of books like this, Dana! I agree with you; great art!
ReplyDeletebetty
I hope you had a great weekend, Betty!
DeleteI really love Dettmer's work. The beauty of his art is amazing. A large portion of my job consists of collection development for a small branch in a large public library system. Part of that is withdrawing books that contain out of date information. So many of these old science books, atlases, encyclopedias are so beautiful. It makes me happy to see these old books given a second life.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me happy, too. You're right: many of those old books are just gorgeous, with their illustrations and typography... It's good that Dettmer turns them into art for others to enjoy.
DeleteThese are AMAZING!!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, people who call it book mutilation are insane! Most of these books are so obsolete. When was the last time you flipped through an encyclopedia?
I think giving new life to objects that are not wanted is a fantastic gift and should be revered.
I, myself, take old kid's clothes, moth eaten old fur pieces, and create quilted objects and teddy bears. You can't imagine how lovely a old mink stole is when recreated into a cuddly and sweet teddy. It's becomes a keepsake that can be handed down from generation to generation.
Last year I made really cool Christmas stockings for a friend's children out of thrift store kid's clothes. The money goes to charity and the clothes have a new life....It's a win/win!
I absolutely agree. Why throw away these wonderful old (unwanted) books? Why not make them into something beautiful?
DeleteI'd love to see pictures of your creations! They sound amazing. :)
Those videos and his works of art are awesome! I really can't imagine people just throwing books away though! I pass them along or donate them! Definitely a great Sunday Inspirational find thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them!
DeleteI have mixed feelings about using books (in a way that damages or destroys them) to create other things. On one hand, I hate to see bad things happen to books, but on the other hand, if they're falling apart or already damaged I'd rather see them used to make something else than end up in a landfill. Either way, it is just amazing how creative some people are.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel, too. If they're going to be thrown out anyway, why not create something beautiful from them? I wish I were creative enough to do something like this!
DeleteIt hurts to see those books cut up that way, but then again, some of those big thick old reference books aren't ever going to be used or opened by a reader. He is very talented.
ReplyDeleteHe's definitely talented. It's amazing how he can "see" what he needs to do to make his art.
DeleteThis is so beautifully creative. The art that is created in this world never ceases to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. ☺
DeleteHoly xacto Knife, Batman! That's amazing! Talk about innovation, and preserving old books through reshaping them... Wow.
ReplyDeleteLOL Yes, I completely agree!
DeleteThe way I see it, as long as he's not using a rare book, there shouldn't be a problem. If he's using a book you can get at any book store, then he can keep making such amazing art. However, if he uses a book that's rare or old or valuable, he's gonna have to run for cover from all of the book lovers out there.
ReplyDeleteHe probably does have to run from some of them. :)
DeleteI'm glad he creates art from old encyclopedias and medical texts and other old, outdated books. Most end up in the trash because they've outlived their usefulness. He can make them useful—and beautiful—again. ☺
Wow, those are super-cool! How inspiring to see art created from something we wouldn't ordinarily think of as "material."
ReplyDeleteI think that's what I love about his art most—the unexpected material. Some people are blessed with eyes that see beauty in so many things...
DeleteFascinating. Seeing them as archeological digs
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool way to look at what he does!
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