It’s not what you think. This has got to be one of the most amazing uses for books that anyone has ever come up with (besides reading them, of course). Canadian artist Guy Laramee painstakingly carves intricate landscapes into old books, an act that is steeped in commentary.

Specifically, Laramee is concerned with notions of progress and the erosion of culture that is an inherent part of it. Hence the amazing, but also destructive feat at hand.

It takes real vision to recognize the potential of an unconventional medium such as this. The pages, all in an immense variety of muted pulp tones, some yellowed with age or grayed with years of dust, lend themselves to transformation. The result is topographical, substantial, and I would guess, quite profound in person.

When you have a free moment or two, I strongly recommend browsing around on art websites (hint, hint). You never know what you’ll find, and you’re bound (no pun intended) to find work that will blow you away!

 

Related articles

• Coffin In The Library (zatista.com)
• Guy Laramee (itsnicethat.com)