Brian Dettmer - altered books

The Story of Man, 2010, Altered Book, 9-5/8" x 7-7/8" x 1-5/8". Image Courtesy of the Artist and Saltworks.

Brian Dettmer's altered books are a bit intense, but I think it's kind of incredible the way he basically excavates the texts, removing pieces to create his finished works.

	New Books of Knowledge, 2009, Altered Books, 16" x 26-1/2" x 10". Image Courtesy of the Artist and Packer Schopf.

Webster Withdrawn, 2010, Altered Book, 11-3/4" x 16-1/2" x 13-1/4". Image courtesy of the Artist and MiTO Gallery.

Integrated Electronics, 2008, Altered Book, 11" x 10" x 3-1/8". Image Courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art.

 

Wagnalls Wheel, 2010, Altered Set of Encyclopedias, 9" x 20-1/2" x 20-1/2". Image Courtesy of the Artist and Toomey Tourell Fine Art.

According to the explanation of his process:

In this work I begin with an existing book and seal its edges, creating an enclosed vessel full of unearthed potential. I cut into the surface of the book and dissect through it from the front. I work with knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve one page at a time, exposing each layer while cutting around ideas and images of interest. Nothing inside the books is relocated or implanted, only removed. Images and ideas are revealed to expose alternate histories and memories. My work is a collaboration with the existing material and its past creators and the completed pieces expose new relationships of the book’s internal elements exactly where they have been since their original conception.

You can see more of Brian's incredible works on his website.

(Via design milk)