Guy Laramée: Chinese Medical Glossary, Unique Book Sculpture

Sculpture Details:  Laramée describes his inspiration for Islands, “When I did those pieces, I wanted to address the feeling of insularity that seems to be a growing phenomenon in the individuals of Euro-American cultures. Technologies promised that we would get networked to the whole planet but paradoxically we feel lonelier as we browse our Facebook page on our cell phone, while walking among strangers on the street. We barely engage in conversations with our neighbors – we don’t know their names anymore – precisely because we prefer our interactions to be mediated by these new toys." By addressing our separateness, Laramée is commenting on the degradation of community in popular society.

The book sculpture measures 8.5” x 9.5” x 7.25”.

Please note that the sculpture will be shipped in a silk covered display fixture to ensure that it has a safe journey as well as serve as an alternate way to display the sculpture. 

About the Artist:  Guy Laramée’s carved books are his metaphor for the degradation of human culture. The artist’s treatment of non-fiction information stems from his idea that knowledge is gained by erosion instead of accumulation. “I carve landscapes out of books. Mountains of disused knowledge return to what they really are: mountains. Piles of obsolete encyclopedias return to that which does not need to say anything, that which simply is.”

Although Laramée has been involved in the arts for over 30 years with music, performance and video, his sculptures have lately come to be the most important endeavor of his artistic career. Since 2004, Laramée has had 15 solo exhibitions in both the United States and Canada.

Condition Report: The book sculpture is in FINE condition.

A photograph of the book sculpture appears in the photo section of the listing.