Monday, February 10, 2014

Between the Lines - Altered Book Sculptures by Dawn Rosendahl

 Between the Lines: Exhibition of Altered Book Sculptures

I've had the pleasure of watching artist Dawn Rosendahl carve through pages as she creates her altered book sculptures in her Artist in Residence  studio at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Florida. I was amazed to see the very beginning of this totem of sculpted books being built in her studio come to fruition in this exquisite tall assemblage of carved books. 
 

"Libra Totem" Inspired by Native American totem polls.
There are over 75 books in this piece.


The artist’s process is like an excavation, each book with its own archaeological dig. Using X-Acto knives and box cutters her process appears a bit surgical, and quite meticulous. Like a storyteller Rosendahl retells tales in a fresh new way, selectively piercing pages until the form emerges as a sculptural vision. She is able to use the text words and images to convey her message.



 "Hollywood Burning"
Rosendahl Artist Statement
I transform books into lasting sculptures, resurrecting them as they become obsolete in this age of New Media. I carve books like blocks of wood, transforming them into surrealistic works of art. The altered books tell new stories; continents, countries, and highways in an atlas shift into another world; history books are rewritten with the stories they tell; and words in an encyclopedia are shifted and layered into new meaning.





 "American Vision"

In addition to her tenacity of pushing through volumes
her work is intellectual and thought provoking.
One could find her work a valuable engaging work addition to their art collection.




 "Jackie"

I particularly enjoy the exhibition in the CityArts Factory venue as her altered books
stand out on the blue walls accentuating their sculptural forms. A must see!
Catch it by February 14th,
CityArts Factory is located at 29 S. Orange Ave Orlando Florida USA.


"Dawn Rosendahl transforms books into lasting sculptures,
resurrecting them as they become obsolete in this age of New Media"




Review
 Robin Maria Pedrero is a curator, public speaker, and passionate painter. Pedrero served on the board for the National Women's Caucus for Art. She is an elected signature member of the Pastel Society of America. She is awarded Best Artist in Florida 2012 by Baterby's Art Auction Gallery, listed in Florida International Magazine’s Florida Artists Hall of Fame, and the winning Artiste Wine Label artist 2012. Pedrero is an award winning artist with work in film, museum permanent collections, private collections & galleries in America, Great Britain, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia.