Title These are the wild rounded wings they flutter
Artist / Creator James Allen
Place of Publication Portland, OR
Publication Date 2018
Structure / Binding Book excavation
Dimensions (WxHxD) 4.25 x 8.25 x .5 inches closed.
Edition Size Unique
Signed & Numbered Signed by the artist

These are the wild rounded wings they flutter by James Allen -SOLD!

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These are the wild rounded wings they flutter is a book excavation created from A Pocket Guide to Birds by Allan D. Cruickshank. I covered the original paper cover with a sky blue paper and a UV filtering polymer varnish to strengthen the book before beginning the excavation process. Then I cut though the pages as they lay to reveal the many layers of birds within and a short word poem which became the title of the piece. Must see TV! Oregon Art Beat, a weekly arts program on Oregon Public Broadcasting, has a fascinating segment about James Allen and his book excavations. Great video showing the process behind his art, in an in-depth, accessible manner. Watch it here.

ABOUT BOOK EXCAVATIONS

A book excavation is a sculptural work of art made by transforming various types of old books using precise cuts with a scalpel or knife, carving pages one by one until an astonishing new composition reveals itself. This almost surgical focus of dissecting books results in a wholly new object infused with a graphical history that evolves as the artist exposes each layer of the book while cutting around interesting images or text. For most artists working in this remarkable medium, the process is performed without pre-planning or mapping out the contents before cutting into the books pages and/or covers. Finished book excavations often appear as cross sections of the book, carved to create an alternate universe previously hidden between the covers.

Artist Bio

James Allen lives and works in Portland, Oregon. His book excavations have been featured in exhibitions across the country including the Brooklyn Public Library, Cameron Art Museum, Watcom Museum, and San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. His work can be found in collections including UCLA, University of Puget Sound, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and Johns Hopkins University.