Slicing and Dicing Books for Art

Recommended Videos

What Georgia-based artist Brian Dettmer does to books would make any bibliophile or librarian cringe: he cuts and sculpts books into spectacular pieces of art. Using precise surgical tools and a dearth of outdated books, Dettmer makes ordinary volumes explode with images and words. His work takes the ideas and pictures has always been in books, both literally and figuratively, and puts them outside in beautiful stratigraphy.

In the artist’s own words, via My Modern Met:

“The richness and depth of the book is universally respected yet often undiscovered as the monopoly of the form and relevance of the information fades over time. The book’s intended function has decreased and the form remains linear in a non-linear world. By altering physical forms of information and shifting preconceived functions, new and unexpected roles emerge.”

But if that’s too heady for your tastes, simply enjoy the completely awesome works this artist has to offer.

More at My Modern Met.


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Here’s Your Rundown of All the Bonus Chapters in the ACOTAR Series
Cover art for A Court of Thorns and Roses in black and white, with the covers for A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.
Read Article Fans Have Been Eagerly Waiting for ‘Outlander’ Book 10—and Will Have to Keep Waiting a While Longer
Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan in 'Outlander'
Read Article Is Fourth Wing Spicy? Explained
cover art title for Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Read Article Rebel Wilson Alleges Sacha Baron Cohen Got Her Memoir Delayed Indefinitely in Australia
Rebel Wilson attends the 2024 AACTA Awards
Read Article Want to Tackle the ‘Dune’ Book Series? Here’s a Full List
Princess of Dune book cover.
Related Content
Read Article Here’s Your Rundown of All the Bonus Chapters in the ACOTAR Series
Cover art for A Court of Thorns and Roses in black and white, with the covers for A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.
Read Article Fans Have Been Eagerly Waiting for ‘Outlander’ Book 10—and Will Have to Keep Waiting a While Longer
Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan in 'Outlander'
Read Article Is Fourth Wing Spicy? Explained
cover art title for Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Read Article Rebel Wilson Alleges Sacha Baron Cohen Got Her Memoir Delayed Indefinitely in Australia
Rebel Wilson attends the 2024 AACTA Awards
Read Article Want to Tackle the ‘Dune’ Book Series? Here’s a Full List
Princess of Dune book cover.
Author