Atlanta-based artist Brian Dettmer is revolutionizing the way we think about printed media by transforming outdated reference books into intricate sculptural works. His solo exhibition titled "In-Formation" is currently on display at the Riverside Arts Center's Freeark Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Riverside, Illinois, where visitors can witness his meticulous carvings up close. Dettmer uses knives and surgical tools to carefully remove layers from encyclopedias, atlases, and other reference volumes, creating topographic reliefs that reveal hidden images and text within the pages. The exhibition runs through January 2026 and challenges viewers to reconsider how knowledge is stored and accessed in physical form.
Dettmer's creative process is entirely subtractive, meaning he never adds or rearranges content within the books he transforms. Instead, he excavates through the pages like an archaeologist, exposing diagrams, illustrations, and fragments of text that were previously buried deep within the volume. Each cut is deliberate and precise, allowing layers of information to coexist in a single, unified composition. The resulting sculptures resemble geological cross-sections or three-dimensional maps, where time and information are compressed into visual narratives. This technique requires extraordinary patience and skill, as a single wrong cut could destroy the entire piece.
The "In-Formation" exhibition showcases several of Dettmer's recent works, including pieces made from hardcover books coated with acrylic varnish for preservation. Among the featured sculptures are "Diccionario Enciclopedico" (2020), measuring 10 x 29 x 6 inches, and "Great Houses of Gardening Corners" (2025), which stands at 13.5 x 12 x 5 inches. These works demonstrate how Dettmer shifts books from linear reading tools into objects that must be experienced visually and physically. Viewers are encouraged to walk around each piece, discovering how meaning changes depending on the angle and what remains visible versus what stays concealed within the carved pages.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Dettmer has gained international recognition for his role in expanding book-based sculpture as a legitimate contemporary art form. His works are held in major museum collections around the world, and he continues to create pieces that resonate deeply in an era when printed media is rapidly disappearing. The artist's practice raises important questions about the future of knowledge preservation and the value we place on physical books in a digital age. By transforming these objects into something entirely new, Dettmer gives them a second life while commenting on the evolving nature of information consumption.
The Riverside Arts Center exhibition offers a focused examination of how books, originally designed to organize and contain knowledge, can be reimagined as objects that question how knowledge is accessed and preserved. The gallery setting allows for intimate viewing of the sculptures, where visitors can appreciate the fine details of Dettmer's craftsmanship. The show's title reflects the artist's ongoing interest in the relationship between data and material, inviting contemplation about what is lost and what is gained as society moves from physical to digital information storage. The tactile nature of the work creates a sensory experience that cannot be replicated on a screen.
In-Formation remains on view at the Riverside Arts Center's Freeark Gallery and Sculpture Garden through January 24, 2026. The center is located at 32 E Quincy Street, Riverside, Illinois, 60546. For those unable to visit in person, Dettmer maintains an active online presence through his website and Instagram account, where he shares images of his latest creations. The exhibition represents a unique opportunity to engage with contemporary art that bridges the gap between literary tradition and visual innovation, making it accessible and thought-provoking for audiences of all ages.
