Artist Dettmer's talk today at ECC

Book artist Brian Dettmer brings "A Surgical Approach: Altered Books & Tapes," a distinctive exhibit and presentation, to Elgin Community College today.

Dettmer discusses the origins and intentions of his altered books, videos and cassette tapes, revealing the metaphors and meanings suggested by his approach. Dettmer's hybrid books and tapes address the tenuous relationship between reality, memory, experience, and expectation as viewers navigate the various perceptual anomalies which characterize his creations.

Dettmer was born in Naperville and now resides in Atlanta. His books and tapes have been exhibited throughout the U.S., as well as London, Mexico City, Basel, Switzerland, and Madrid. His one-person exhibition in Safety-Kleen Gallery One will feature many of the works presented within the lecture, giving viewers a first-hand look at these paradoxical objects.

Dettmer's presentation will be held at 12:45 p.m. today in the auditorium of the Advanced Technology Center (ATC 144) followed by a public reception from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Safety-Kleen Gallery One located on the first floor of ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

The events are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. Dettmer's exhibit will be on display in the Safety-Kleen Gallery One from today through Nov. 30.

Dettmer's visit is presented by ECC's division of liberal, visual and performing arts with additional sponsorship support from the ECC gallery program, ECC writer's center and the ECC student life co-curricular fund. For details, call (847) 622-0300.