Title World Theater
Artist / Creator James Allen
Place of Publication Portland, OR
Publication Date 2012
Structure / Binding Book excavation. Framed behind glass.
Dimensions (WxHxD) Framed size: 20 x 14.5 x 2 inches. Book open: 15.5 x 10 inches
Edition Size Unique
Signed & Numbered Signed on back of frame

World Theater by James Allen - SOLD

Sold
An altered book or “book excavation” project by James Allen. James tells us, "I found World Theater in the shelves at Powell's Books in Portland. In cutting through both the front and back of the book I created two windows to offer a look into the history of theater on two separate stages. On the left stage the mood is stark while the right stage features some strange and vibrantly colored costumes. I especially enjoy the illustration of the boat on wheels being pulled across the stage over tracks to create the illusion of bobbing over waves." 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 was born in 1977 in Great Lakes, Illinois and currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon.  He earned a BFA from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2000. Allen's artwork is included in Art Made From Books: Altered, Sculpted, Carved, Transformed published by Chronicle book (August 2013). His work was exhibited at the Bellevue Arts Museum in The Book Borrowers: Contemporary Artists Transforming the Book in 2009.  He's also exhibited across the country in many cities including New York, Chicago, and Miami.