Toes in the Mud

teachingliteracy:

givesgoodface:

Book sculptures seem to be gaining a lot of recognition lately. If you’re a fan of this trend, you may enjoy the works of South Africa-based artist Wim Botha. The artist creates sculpture installations out of government and religious texts, reflecting on the human condition. The intricate structures are directly related to the materials used to construct them, which are often filled with definitions and standards of human identity, individuality, and immorality.

Botha says of his work: “there is seldom a distinction to be drawn between the prominence of the concept and that of the medium. I work with materials central to mass consumerist applications, that are subsequently transformed in essence and meaning to a point at which material and concept becomes integrally interdependent.”

The sculptor’s latest piece entitled Fuse features a a couple amidst a passionate kiss (very bottom of this post). Though it isn’t made of books, the piece’s message is heavily reflected in its constructed elements which includes charred fire-resistant pine. The material appears to reflect a concept of love. Though one may get hurt, love is undying. Fuse is part of the What We Talk About When We Talk About Love exhibit and is currently showing at Michael Stevenson Gallery in Cape Town until January 14, 2012.

(via utterlybanal)