Brian Dettmer (Chicago, b. 1974) Visit the Artist's Site
Set of three altered books and digital video with audio by Dmitry Pavlovsky, 2008
Each 11 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 3 1/8 inches
Brian Dettmer’s work involves the appropriation and alteration of media to transform the physical form and/or to selectively remove and reveal content to generate new works of fine art. Dettmer explains, "Old books, records, tapes, maps, and other media frequently fall into a realm that too much of today’s art occupies. Their intended role has decreased or deceased and they often exist simply as symbols of the ideas they represent rather than true conveyers of content. When an object's intended function is fleeting, the necessity for a new approach to its form and content arises."
Chronicle, Chronic, and Con form a triptych of altered reference books and are joined by an audio video document of their creation. Never inserting or moving the books contents, Dettmer has altered these three reference books by making cuts into the books, exposing select images and text to create intricate three-dimensional derivative works that reveal new or alternative interpretations of the books.
Brian Dettmer was born in Chicago in 1974 and currently works in Atlanta.
