Blasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of Knowledge

From his mountainside studio in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, Guy Laramée (previously) creates otherworldly sculptures that mirror nearby peaks like Pico da Caledônia. Using a unique method of blasting antique books with high-pressure water and stripping them of their covers, he manipulates the bound text blocks into craggy cliff faces and rocky promontories.

When viewed from certain angles, each sculpture’s identity as volumes of text nearly vanishes as we perceive mountains in miniature. As one moves around the pieces, the rigid form of stitched binding appears or printed pages ruffle and hint and the contents.

a detail of the top of a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain
Detail of “Livros 3”

Laramée’s sculptures tread the line between object and landscape, juxtaposing themes of knowledge, history, and archives with geology, time, and the environment. The artist often employs dictionaries and encyclopedias, which constantly evolve and require updates, exploring the tension between physical representations of information and learning and our relationship with the natural world.

The works shown here are part of Laramée’s online exhibition presented by JHB Gallery, Livros, which continues through May 4. Find more on the artist’s website.

Blasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of Knowledge
“Livros 3” (2025), waterblasted books, inks, pigments, and acrylic sealer, 9.06 x 10.63 x 8.27 inches
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain or glacier with a large crevasse
“Livros 6” (2025), waterblasted books, inks, pigments, and acrylic sealer, 7.87 x 14.17 x 5.91 inches
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain
“Livros 6”
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain
“Livros 2” (2025), water-carved books, inks, pigments, acrylic sealer, and metal clip, 12.99 x 10.63 x 8.27 inches
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain
“Livros 1” (2025), water-carved books, inks, pigments, acrylic sealer, and metal clip, 6.66 x 9.84 x 5.91 inches
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages
“Livros 5” (2025), waterblasted books, inks, pigments, and acrylic sealer, 11.4 x 15.75 x 9.06 inches
a detail of the craggy texture of a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain
Detail of “Livros 5”
a sculpture made from a set of large books, covers removed to reveal the stitched binding, which has been water-blasted to soften and manipulate the pages into a form resembling a large mountain or glacier
“Livros 4” (2025), waterblasted books, inks, pigments, and acrylic sealer, 9.84 x 15.75 x 9.06 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Blasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of Knowledge appeared first on Colossal.

©

Related Posts

Blasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of KnowledgeBlasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of Knowledge
Super Simple Portfolio Rebalancing: Check Once A...
All this talk about portfolio rebalancing is to improve your...
Read more
Humanoid robot with a built-in displayHumanoid robot with a built-in display
Move over Roomba! An Apple smart home...
Apple wants to get smart home robots into our households,...
Read more
Western Window Systems used in Texas lakefront cabinWestern Window Systems used in Texas lakefront cabin
3 Homes that Embrace Indoor-Outdoor Living in...
While devotees of contemporary architecture fawn over floor-to-ceiling windows, the...
Read more
Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Nicki MinajBillie Eilish, J Balvin, Nicki Minaj
'AI poses enormous threats': Billie Eilish, J...
An open letter signed by music's biggest names asks industry...
Read more
Klein Blue Hills and White Cliffs by Wutopia Lab at nightKlein Blue Hills and White Cliffs by Wutopia Lab at night
In Shanghai, Wutopia Lab Injects a Sense...
From retail to museums, Wutopia Lab’s wide-ranging portfolio is unified...
Read more
Blasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of KnowledgeBlasting Books with High-Pressure Water, Guy Laramée Scales Mountains of Knowledge
40 Years of Azure: 2020 to 2025
The post 40 Years of Azure: 2020 to 2025 appeared...
Read more