Brian Dettmer is a studio artist who frequently deconstructs books, LPs, and other media-related materials in his work. His current exhibition at Kinz + Tillou Fine Art in Chelsea runs until June 11th, and features a number of surgically altered vintage books and encyclopedias — a process that was accomplished through countless tiny swipes from steady x-acto blades. In a previous interview with the Chicago Reader , Dettmer says, “Art is supposed to be this universal language, but English is understood by a fraction of the world.” He continues, “If I rip up the text everyone can see the pattern and texture–everybody’s understanding is on the same level.” Click through to preview images of the artist’s democratic deconstruction of language.
Brian Dettmer, The Volume Library, 2010
Brian Dettmer, Detail of The Volume Library, 2010
Brian Dettmer, Vertical Knowledge, 2009. Altered set of vintage encyclopedias
Brian Dettmer, Saturation Will Result, 2011. Altered set of vintage encyclopedias
Brian Dettmer, Smith’s Scientific Series, 2011
Brian Dettmer, Detail of Smith’s Scientific Series, 2011
Brian Dettmer, Goya, 2010
Brian Dettmer, Detail of Goya, 2010
Brian Dettmer, Organized Knowledge in Story and Picture, 2011. Altered set of encyclopedias
Brian Dettmer, Detail of Organized Knowledge in Story and Picture, 2011