LIBRARY OF THE INFINITESIMALLY SMALL AND UNIMAGINABLY LARGE
2011 – PRESENT
Statement
Barbara Wildenboer – Library of the Infinitesimally Small and the Unimaginably Large
Wildenboer’s interventions may render her books unreadable in the traditional sense, but they introduce alternate knowledge systems that defy canon and welcome the artfulness of science. Through Wildenboer’s book modifications, she makes science visible in all its ungovernable, disobedient glory. The process of nullifying the printed text, creates space for new fields of erudition to emerge. [Her work] is thus simultaneously a template for a new type of taxonomy about knowledge and existence, and an exhibition in which ontology-validating disciplines provide only a framework for new artistic structures to emerge” – Extract from essay written by Azu Nwagbogu (2020).
The artist began her book project Library of the Infinitesimally Small and Unimaginable Large in 2011. It’s a large-scale ongoing project that uses the library as a metaphor for the universe and was inspired by a short story by the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges titled The Library of Babel. Through this series she makes reference to the relation between technology and the natural environment and looks at phenomena such as fractal geometry and the interconnectedness of all living things by creating visual metaphors that speak of a sense of wonder at the complicated beauty of patterns in nature. The works also touches on the arguably uncertain future of printed books as a consequence of the increased popularity of new electronic digital alternatives. Many sources of knowledge such as volumes of encyclopaedias are now rapidly being replaced by their internet counterparts, hinting at the potential possibility of printed books ultimately being displaced by digital technology. She sources her books and maps from second hand bookshops and flea markets all over the world. In the selection process she not only considers the books for their physical characteristics such as typographical layout, size, wear, and paper quality, but also more specifically for their subject matter. Sometimes she makes use of technology but most of the pieces are usually entirely hand cut.
Selected online features on Altered Books:
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2020/08/barbara-wildenboer-book-sculpture/
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2018/09/altered-books-by-barbara-wildenboer/
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/03/cut-books-wildenboer/
https://www.yatzer.com/barbara-wildenboer
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/barbara-wildenboer-s-book-sculptures/
https://plainmagazine.com/elaborate-vintage-books-paper-sculptures-barbara-wildenboer/
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/13/your-books-central-nervous-systemand-other-news/
http://www.fastcodesign.com/3043246/antique-books-turned-into-exquisite-papersculptures
http://beautifuldecay.com/2014/03/05/barbara-wildenboers-altered-books-sea-likeorganisms/