Brian Dettmer paper design

Brian Dettmer uses antique books to create design through sculpture. He reconstructs the pages by carving them, shaping them, and painting them into layered designs and patterns. He states the deeper meaning of his work is to reconstruct the meanings of the words in each book into an entirely new story (often an ironic one). Dettmer’s alteration of existing media is not limited to old books. He also uses old maps, record albums, and cassette tapes to name a few materials.

These are all good examples of Dettmer’s idea to make new stories and new images from existing words found in the books he chooses. I love the depth he creates with all of the layers of the pages. It abstracts most of the figures but there is still a clear idea of story telling in the figures carved from the books. He also does more work with collage type artworks. (pictured above and below). These works are more afocal and are so cluttered that it works as a design. There is no focal point in some of these creations which means everywhere is a focal point which can also be nice.

I chose this artist because of his detailed works, his idea and planning behind cutting each page of the books, and the fact that he finds unity and pattern with afocal works. He is a clear example that sometimes more is more.