built of books by frank halmans

‘the city in the mind’ from the ‘built of books’ series by frank halmansall images © the artist

dutch artist frank halmans explores themes of domesticity and memory through his sculptural installations. his series ‘built of books’ employs vintage publications – the selected titles have no particular meaning and are not exceptional literary works –which he arranges into stacks. lining them up along shelves, he carving windows and doors through each, creating sets of imaginary buildings and interiors in each section of volumes. in a way these spaces which he slices through the books, stand as a metaphor and the idea of moving through something, whether it be a literary passage, or a physical expanse.

‘the city in mind’

‘de lange nacht (the long night)’ front

‘de lange nacht (the long night)’ backside

‘neem mij mee (take me with you)’

‘gelukseiland (corridor)’

pattern and process development

rough mock-up

‘atelier (studio)’

‘atelier (studio)’ detail

‘book with cut pages’ (staircase)