Sculptures Formed from Chiseled and Trimmed Reference Texts Convert Knowledge into Artistic Expression
Artist Brian Dettmer converts printed materials into stunning sculptures. Utilizing meticulous carving techniques, Dettmer delves into existing books, frequently encyclopedias, atlases, or reference texts, with knives and surgical instruments. He neither adds nor rearranges the content; instead, he extracts material to reveal images, diagrams, and text fragments embedded within the pages. The finished pieces resemble topographical reliefs or cross-sections of knowledge, where layers of information are unveiled through careful cuts. Now, audiences can explore his work firsthand at a solo exhibition at Riverside Arts Center’s Freeark Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Riverside, Illinois.
The exhibition is titled In-Formation and presents a curated selection of Dettmer’s modified books, prompting viewers to rethink how information is stored, unveiled, and interpreted in a physical context. The exhibition’s title underscores the artist’s persistent curiosity about the interplay between data and material. By transforming books into sculptural pieces, he transitions them from mere tools for linear reading into physical encounters that necessitate visual exploration. Visitors are encouraged to navigate around each artwork, discovering how meaning shifts based on what is uncovered and what stays concealed.
Based in Atlanta, Dettmer has displayed his work internationally and is widely celebrated for his contribution to the evolution of book-based sculpture as a contemporary art form. His pieces are included in significant museum collections and continue to have an impact as printed media swiftly diminishes. At Riverside Arts Center, In-Formation provides an insightful perspective on how books, once intended to systematize knowledge, can be re-envisioned as objects that challenge how knowledge is accessed and safeguarded.
In-Formation will be displayed at the Riverside Arts Center’s Freeark Gallery and Sculpture Garden until January 2026.
Rather than being read from the beginning to end, the books in Brian Dettmer’s pieces are carved into sculptural forms that beckon for close physical examination.
Dettmer utilizes knives and surgical instruments to strip away layers of pages, revealing images, diagrams, and fragments of text embedded deep within the book.
Encyclopedias, atlases, and reference books are transformed into intricate reliefs that resemble cross-sections of collected knowledge.
Exhibition Information:
Brian Dettmer
In-Formation
December 14, 2025–January 24, 2026
Riverside Arts Center
32 E Quincy St, Riverside, IL, 60546, U.S.A.
Brian Dettmer: [Website](https://briandettmer.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/briandettmerstudio/)
Riverside Art Gallery: [Website](https://www.riversideartscenter.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/riversideartscenter/)
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Riverside Art Gallery.
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