Brian Dettmer Book Surgeon’s New Works

Prose and Poetry of England, 2011, altered book, 8.5 x 7.5 x 2.25 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art

 Remember the Book Surgeon? He’s back with a whole new set of works that he’s showing at the Kinz + Tillou Fine Art gallery in New York from now till June 11. Called Altered Books, the show features Brian Dettmer’s incredibly unique art that ranges in price from $3,800 to $32,000!
Not familiar with Dettmer’s work? Here’s how describes it: “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.”
Above: Goya, 2010, altered book, 13.25 x 13 x 2.5 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art

Prose and Poetry for Enjoyment, 2011, altered book, 8.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art

Prose and Poetry of America, 2011, altered book, 8.5 x 7.5 x 2.25 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art




Saturation Will Result, 2011, Altered Set of Vintage Encyclopedias, 46 1/2 x 35 x 16 w/pedestal, piece is 34 1/2 x 27 x 11 3/8)
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art


Western Civilization, 2011, altered book, 10.25 x 4.5 x 4 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art


The Volume Library, 2010, altered book, 11.25 x 10 x 7.25 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art




Organized Knowledge in Story and Picture, 2011, altered set of encyclopedias, 22.25 x 53 x 2.5 in
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art


Tower of Babble, 2011, altered book, 18 x 10.5 x 10.5 in.
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art


Smith’s Scientific Series, 2011, altered books, pedestal, 61.5 x 10 x 4 in., (80 x 12 x 16 in. w/ pedestal)
Image courtesy of the Artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art