brian dettmer: textonomy
‘there’s nothing to fear’, 2011 paperback books, acrylic medium 7in x 3in x 73inall images courtesy of toomey and tourell gallery and brian dettmer
brian dettmer: textonomy toomey tourell gallery, san francisco, california february 2nd until march 17th, 2012
atlanta-based artist brian dettmer has created his ‘textonomy’ installation for toomey and tourell gallery. the sculptor creatively destroys solely vintage non-fiction books– outdated dictionaries, encyclopedias and history text that would otherwise remain unread and recycled. each work is comprised of an antiquated text, having been sealed at the page edges in order to exist as a singular form. the artist then carves away from the lacquered form through the use of scalpels, tweezers and x-acto knifes. dettmer develops a physically devised interpretation of the words and images available in each book. the alternate function provides a recontextualization of the once-static objects.
dettmer carves into the ends of the pages, excavating hidden words and phrases, framed by the larger cuts made to spell ‘there’s nothing to fear’
‘universal standard’, 2012 hardcover books, acrylic medium, 42-1/4in x 13in x 13in (28in x 16in x 16in pedestal, 70-1/2in x 16in x 16in w/ pedestal)
the texts which form the column of ‘universal standard’ and sealed in such a way that each chiseled image is framed by the hard cover of the books.
‘aching days of england’, 2011 hardcover book, acrylic medium 15-3/8in x 20-1/2in x 1-1/4in
detailed view of ‘aching days of england’
dettmer’s works are a reinterpretation of historical images and words
‘american peoples’, 2011 vintage set of encyclopedias, acrylic medium 61in x 39in x 14in
‘prose and poetry adventures’, 2011 hardcover book, acrylic medium, ink jet print, frame book 8-1/2in x 7-1/2in x 1-3/4in frame 15-1/8in x 12-1/8in x 3/4in
wide view of ‘lands and peoples’, 2011 hardcover books, acrylic medium 29-1/2in x 29-1/2in x 2in
detailed view
each of the books which comprise the entire piece are never enhanced with additional material, but rather, chipped away to reveal the inner contents.
‘macmillan’, 2011 hardcover book, acrylic medium 11-1/8in x 9-1/2in x 2-1/8in
a detailed view of macmillan
‘brian dettmer – remixed media’ by alfredo aponte
brian dettmer (4 articles)
brian dettmer’s studio
brian dettmer: book dissections
brian dettmer: cassette tape skeletons
paper design (207 articles)
raya sader bujana intricately crafts tiny houseplants and woven baskets from paper
NYC designers eliminate plastic coffee cup lid with single folded paper unocup
alexis arnold turns found books into crystalized 'artifacts'
art news
'boda boda madness' by jan hoek + bobbin case captures nairobi's eccentric motortaxi drivers
#art
the bikers are known for adding striking features to their vehicles to attract more customers.
the bikers are known for adding striking features to their vehicles to attract more customers.
bernar venet frames belgian motorway in monumental corten steel l'arc majeur
#art
fabricated out of massive sections of corten steel, bernar venet's sculpture expresses its raw materiality.
fabricated out of massive sections of corten steel, bernar venet's sculpture expresses its raw materiality.
'ping pond' and other twisted classics at MAAT's playmode exhibition
#art
playmode explores the power of game transformation, bringing together more than thirty national and international artists.
playmode explores the power of game transformation, bringing together more than thirty national and international artists.
a wrought iron volkswagen by rafael esparza-prieto celebrates the iconic beetle
#art
the design features 2,600 individual floral-inspired curlicue designs and was crafted using only a hammer and an anvil prior to being painted white.
the design features 2,600 individual floral-inspired curlicue designs and was crafted using only a hammer and an anvil prior to being painted white.
Extraordinary….
Remarkable!
Yawn.
How many people will keep doing this?
Seen it once, that was clever. Once.