It's hard to believe that these detailed sculptures were once encyclopedias. Interdisciplinary artist Guy Laramee redesigns old volumes of information-heavy books that have descended into obsoleteness, going untouched in this present age of technology, into thoroughly sculpted landscapes. The meticulous carving involved in the textured detail of his creations are astounding. Laramee creates vivid illusions of different concrete materials and indefinitely shaped elements like liquids. I am baffled by the effective appearance of rippling water in one of his solid structures and the different shapes he works with.
Two of the artist's series, entitled The Great Wall and Biblios, feature these intricately crafted pieces using old books. Of his material choice and the thought process behind recreating mountains, the artist says:
“Mountains of disused knowledge return to what they really are: mountains. They erode a bit more and they become hills. Then they flatten and become fields where apparently nothing is happening. Piles of obsolete encyclopedias return to that which does not need to say anything, that which simply IS.”
The expert sculptor has a history of mastery in other forms of art as well. In his 30 years of practice, Laramee has touched upon varied forms of art, including musical instrument design, composing, singing, painting, sculpting, stage writing and directing. His next show is set to be held at the Galerie d'Art d'Outremont in April 2012.
