Newer media swiftly flips forms, unrestricted by the weight of material and the responsibility of history. History is lost as formats change from physical stability to digital distress.

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.

I begin with an existing book and seal its edges, creating an enclosed vessel. 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.

This guy’s work makes me want to try and summon a book demon.

Sculptor Brian Dettmer.