Title |
Burned Books |
Author |
|
Date |
2009-2011 |
Description |
Burned Books is a series of laser-cut books. Poignant words are carved and engraved into old volumes and reference books with a laser cutter. The project explores transformations in technology and their relationships to evolutions (or devolutions) in economies. It includes, among others: two display bookshelves with an ever growing collection of 130+ investment guide books and get-rich-quick books (e.g. "Wealth is a Choice" or "Investing by the Stars") all laser engraved with the logos of failed FDIC Insured banks; a shrink wrapped bundle of 12 Yellow Pages that have been cut all the way through with the phrase "GOOGLE"; a dictionary with the phrase "OMG LOL" cut from its pages and a stack of newspapers with the title "OLD NEWS". |
 |
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Statement |
I have previously burned the OED, Atlases, and Phonebooks. I am interested in exploring books, especially expensive reference books, as a symbol of technological obsolecense and consumption culture. Once they were a huge symbol of prestige, now they are a sign of a era whose time has passed away. I burn them with word and symbols, as a way of commenting on their technological obsolescence, and simultaneously restoring their aura as precious objects. |
URL |
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Medium |
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Edition |
1 per each volume |
Technology |
|
Event |
Security Patterns at Eyebeam. October 2009. URL: eyebeam.org/projects/security-patterns. |
Related |
“Michael Mandiberg at Eyebeam” by James Wagner, jameswagner.com, October 1, 2009. |
Related |
“Michael Mandiberg studio visit” by Graham Parker, Vimeo, October 7, 2009. |
Keywords |
bookness, digital, obsolescence, progress, reading, writing |
Added |
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ID |
173 |