England’s Jonathan Callan builds sculptures from folded books. As an avid reader, the artist first came to understand the world through books. He was drawn to art as a way to earn a living. In February 2010, he created an installation in Sheboygain, Wisconsin’s John Michael Kohler Arts Center. The installation was made of book discards donated for the project.
Recycling old books is part of the delight that Jonathan Callan gets from using books as objects of art. He claims that the older he grows, the more interested he is in used books -- as art materials that have had a previous life.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Art
- Creating art from recycled materials such as books to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
- Upcycled Sculptures
- Using discarded materials to create sculptures as a form of repurposing and reducing waste.
- Book Art
- Transforming books into works of art as a unique and creative form of expression.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- Opportunity to explore more eco-friendly and sustainable practices in the art and design industry.
- Waste Management
- Opportunity to explore creative ways of repurposing and reducing waste in the waste management industry.
- Libraries and Education
- Opportunity to teach and inspire creativity among library users and students through the concept of book art and upcycling.
