He cuts people and things out of old pulp fiction novels, kids books and anatomy. In addition to being a photographer, i play talent scout, casting. I love the popup noir art of thomas allen, an american artist who takes the covers of old pulp novels and cuts them up into lurid threedimensional dioramas. Popup sculpture made from books by thomas allen upcyclist. Inspired by popup books and midcentury popular culture, thomas allen contextualizes iconic imagery in bold new settings. Thomas allen takes classic books front the 40s and 50s and gives them a new life by turning their. Jared paul stern blackbook vampish vixens, drunken sailors, bustups and shootouts are some of the entertaining images that can be found in this photographic homage to the golden age of pulp. Photographer thomas allen has come up with what may be the ultimate, why didnt. Allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and then lovingly slices out a figure from the cover, gently folds it into position, and constructs a witty scene around it. When the camera captures the set, it appears as though they are still shots from an old film. This wonderful art was inspired by the classic popup books. Synopsis thomas allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and then lovingly slices out a figure from the cover, gently folds it into position, and constructs a witty scene around it. They are items that provide hours of enjoyment for the recipient. Inspired by a viewmaster and popup books as a child, allen became interested in recreating these threedimensional experiences by using old books and pulp fiction paperbacks as still life subjects.
This imaginative addition turns the books into creative. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Michiganbased artist thomas allen turns the covers of classic books into wondrous pop. Thomas allen pulps thomas allen, pulp fiction book. Hes been featured in the new york times, the atlantic, npr, and the wall street journal. Allen gently cuts around the shape of his figures, physically releasing them from their two dimensional surface, and then places them in a new. Combining the imagery of pulp fiction cover art and the fun of pop up books, thomas allen creates threedimensional action scenes by cutting out and combining vintage cover images then using the remaining pages and spines to act as the stage for his new creations. Combining the imagery of pulp fiction cover art and the fun of popup books, thomas allen creates threedimensional action scenes by cutting out and combining vintage cover images then using the remaining pages and spines to. The book as an art form artists books libguides at the.
By isolating and removing superheroes, cowboys, and damsels from their original contexts, allen explores the shifting metrics of sexuality, read more. He then photographs them using dramatic and dynamic lighting, perspective and depth of field to create a completely new and unexpected. Apr 06, 2018 thomas allen art thomas antique books vintage books paper book paper art altered books altered art book art designer, illustrator and collage artist thomas allen, whose new work we spotted over at colossal, brings books to life with his amazing book cut illustrations, his paper figures springing from the text. The wildly talented thomas allens ingenious idea to bring characters from pulp fiction novels to life by setting them free from their respective covers and catapulting them into their new 3d worlds was partially inspired by a couple of items from his youth that most of our readers of a certain age will be. He cuts people and things out of old pulp fiction novels, kids books and anatomy textbooks and reassembles them into a scene.
Nov 11, 2012 brilliant book art by thomas allen inspired by a viewmaster and pop up books as a child, thomas allen became interested in recreating these threedimensional experiences by using mid century books and pulp fiction paperbacks as still life subjects. Inspired by a love of pop up books, hollywood noir, westerns and pulp fiction, allen revels in the different roles he must play to create his scenarios. We have always loved pop up art and are so pleased to see how michigan based artist thomas allen taken it to the next level so brilliantly. Explore the arts with titles on art history, artists, fashion, photography, and browse our picks for best art and photography books of the year. Allen creates threedimensional art by cutting out characters from old book covers and positioning them into mini scenes. Thomas allen turns tired pulp fiction book covers into popup. The california pop up book is a creative exploration of the cultural history of california through 3d popups, pullouts, booklets, and narratives. Inspired by a love of popup books, hollywood noir, westerns and pulp fiction, allen revels in the different roles he must play to create his scenarios.
Each of the pieces was created by thomas allen, an artist who photographs paper cut outs pop up books hes created with an xacto knife and thrift store books. Minnesota artist thomas allens photographs are inspired by his childhood experiences with popup books and viewmaster reels. A bible story popup book by sue allen brown and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He cuts twodimensional figures and images out of old books, and. Inspired by pop up books and midcentury popular culture, thomas allen recontextualizes iconic imagery in bold new settings. Inspired by popup books and midcentury popular culture, thomas allen recontextualizes iconic imagery in bold new settings. Its a fine feat to turn books into sculpture, but artist thomas allen takes this one step further, with fascinating results. Apr 26, 2011 minnesota artist thomas allen s photographs are inspired by his childhood experiences with pop up books and viewmaster reels.
Vintage book characters come alive in intriguing dioramas. Bookend, 2004, chromogenic print, 20 x 24 inches cover, 2002, chromogenic print, 20 x 24 inches intrude, 2003, chromogenic print, 20 x 24 inches. Oldschool film noir, pulp fiction, and popup books coalesce beautifully in tableaux in photographer thomas allens first monograph, uncovered. Allen continues to fashion narratives from the books he cuts and folds into threedimensional vignettes. Inspired by a viewmaster and popup books as a child, thomas allen became interested in recreating these threedimensional experiences by using mid century books and pulp fiction paperbacks as still life subjects. Pulp fiction thomas allen exhibitions joseph bellows. Find the latest shows, biography, and artworks for sale by thomas allen. Thomas allen pop art book sculpture, book art projects. Thomas allens makes popup classic books covers 2 of 7. A bible story pop up book by sue allen brown and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This imaginative addition turns the books into creative art pieces. The works are on display at the johns hopkins hospital in baltimore. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at.
Sep 10, 2007 inspired by a love of pop up books, allen revels in taking on different roles in creating his scenarios. In this darkly delightful first monographalso a board bookthomas allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and then lovingly slices out a figure from the cover, gently folds it into position and constructs a witty and oftentimes suggestive scene around it. Inspired by the immediate, experiential quality of popup and comic books, thomas allen creates illusionistic photographs from imagery lifted from vintage pulp fiction paperbacks. Thomas allens latest works find new artistic perspectives in dissected old science books. In thirst, a sultry dame reaches from her cover toward a. Thomas allen art thomas pop up pulp fiction paper book paper art richard hamilton 3d art quentin blake. Thomas allen turns tired pulp fiction book covers into popup sculptures.
Thomas allen recently debuted a new series of recycled book art. A vintage pulp fiction novel comes to life with the help of artist thomas allen. Wartime correspondence from peter russell hay allen to his mother during the early years of wwii. We have always loved popup art and are so pleased to see how michigan based artist thomas allen taken it to the next level so brilliantly. The late, great alan rickman reads shakespeare, proust. Thomas allens makes popup classic books covers inhabitat. Those of us who havent opened a pop up book since childhood might be surprised to see how far its art has come. Art, image, and identity 19002000 which charts the relationship. When asked to produce a series of work based on classic childrens stories, artist thomas allen decided he would take things a step further by including the physical books into the project. Brilliant book art by thomas allen inspired by a viewmaster and popup books as a child, thomas allen became interested in recreating these threedimensional experiences by using mid.
Sleazy characters from vintage pulp novels spring to life. Thomas allen turns tired pulp fiction book covers into pop. Aug 15, 2010 thomas allen creates unique threedimensional art by cutting out characters from old pulp fiction book covers and positioning them into action scenes. The book as an art form artists books libguides at.
Embracing the joy of play, allen s work is meant to be enjoyed by people of all ages. He cuts the outline of vintage characters and releases them from the page of the book then sticks them in a new setting to spring the stories in life. Thomas allens inventive photography has garnered the attention of critics and artists alike among them, the illustrious chip kidd, who was immediately drawn to red. Contemporary photographer thomas allen began his signature process of repurposing books in college when a professor saw the texts he had cut up spawned from a childhood interest in pop ups and dioramas, and encouraged him to seek his mfa. They are a onesizefitsall solution to the problem of what to buy for a loved one. Thomas allens pulp fiction popup photographs with images. Though troubled at first, he came up with a way to do justice to the beloved characters and stories he was communicating. Foley gallery is very pleased to present thomas allens solo exhibition paint by numbers. Contemporary photographer thomas allen began his signature process of repurposing books in college when a professor saw the texts he had cut up spawned from a childhood interest in popups and dioramas, and. Vintage book characters come alive in intriguing dioramas by. The tiny people he frees from the pages of vintage books display the innocent fashion of the 1940s and 50s. In addition to being a photographer, i play talent scout, casting director, stage manager, lighting supervisor and film editor.
And like all the best beloved british actors of any generation, he could, of course, do shakespeare the way the rest of us can tie our shoes and not just the lines from the plays, but the sonnets. After years of being played, i allow them the chance to play. Michiganbased artist thomas allen turns the covers of classic books into wondrous pop up scenes. Inspired by a love of popup books, allen revels in taking on different roles in creating his scenarios. Incredible popup book art by thomas allen we have always loved popup art and are so pleased to see how michigan based artist thomas allen taken it to the next level so brilliantly.
Apr 20, 2012 this pin was discovered by elizabeth gorrell. Its an oulipean art practice, born of subtraction, that nevertheless extends itself into eros and. Thomas allen takes classic books front the 40s and 50s and gives them a new life by turning their tired covers into stand up sculptures. Thomas allens pulp illustration popups boing boing. Aug 18, 2010 thomas allens uncovered is a series of photographs with an interesting subject. Thomas allens uncovered is a series of photographs with an interesting subject. Inspired by a viewmaster and popup books as a child, thomas allen became interested in recreating these threedimensional art. If you love popup books and trashy pulpfiction book covers, then youre sure to love these pictures by thomas allen. Thomas allen brings literary characters to life in a charming diorama series of paper dolls cut from book illustrations. In this darkly delightful first monographalso a board book thomas allen selects the pulpiest of pulp paperbacks and then lovingly slices out a figure from the cover, gently folds it into position and constructs a witty and oftentimes suggestive scene around it. Thomas allen turns tired pulp fiction book covers into popup sculptures thomas allens makes popup classic books covers inhabitat sustainable design innovation, eco architecture, green building pulp fiction cover art is fabulous enough in its own right, but thomas allen takes it to new heights with his weird but hilarious popup cover art. Jan 14, 2011 but artist thomas allen has raised the bar even higher for these stunning images by cutting out the people and creatures on the covers and photographing them.
Thomas allen creates unique threedimensional art by cutting out characters from old pulp fiction book covers and positioning them into action scenes this wonderful art was inspired by the classic popup books. Sep 01, 2007 oldschool film noir, pulp fiction, and pop up books coalesce beautifully in tableaux in photographer thomas allen s first monograph, uncovered. A book is also a considerate option when giving to an acquaintance such as a coworker. Contemporary photographer thomas allen began his signature process of repurposing books in college when a professor saw the texts he had cut up spawned from a childhood interest in popups and dioramas, and encouraged him to seek his mfa. Combining the imagery of pulp fiction cover art and the fun of popup books, thomas allen creates threedimensional action scenes by cutting out and combining vintage cover images.
Thomas allen art thomas antique books vintage books paper book paper art altered books altered art book art designer, illustrator and collage artist thomas allen, whose new work we spotted over at colossal, brings books to life with his amazing book cut illustrations, his paper figures springing from the text. Dec 10, 2007 thomas allen is a photographer who transforms the fantastic illustrations from vintage pulp novels into evocative pop up scenes. Artist thomas allen created these cutout artworks that are inspired by childrens books. Design by radical indigenism varia boynton on board sandra boynton.
Just this week we lost alan rickman, one of the most beloved british actors of his generation. Thomas allen s makes pop up classic books covers 2 of 7. Be sure to check out this previous thread and the websites discussed there. Jan 14, 2015 thomas allen brings literary characters to life in a charming diorama series of paper dolls cut from book illustrations. Thomas allen, libros popup, graphic design studios, pulp art, pulp fiction, book photography, character concept, pop up, book art what others are saying thomas allen demonology short article troy st louis devil batman superhero fictional characters. Allen creates vivid illustrations using figures cut and folded from old books. Thomas allen o n l i n e n e w y o r k, n y black instagram icon. Embracing the joy of play, allens work is meant to be enjoyed by people of all ages. By taking an xacto knife to the pages of vintage books and manipulating the. Thomas allen is a photographer who transforms the fantastic illustrations from vintage pulp novels into evocative popup scenes. Combining the imagery of pulp fiction cover art and the fun of pop up books, thomas allen creates threedimensional action scenes by cutting out and combining vintage cover images. Fmpr silent and neatly folded, packed away deep within the desolation of a rural michigan farmhouse basement, lie the cutandpaste dioramas of. I love the pop up noir art of thomas allen, an american artist who takes the covers of old pulp novels and cuts them up into lurid threedimensional dioramas. American photographer thomas allen constructs witty and clever dioramas using figures cut from the covers of old pulp paperbacks.
Allen cuts and refigures flat illustrations into images that burst into 3d. He then photographs them using dramatic and dynamic lighting, perspective and depth of field to create a completely new and. Book cover art brings the pages of your favorite books to life. Electric popup books thomas allen, book cover art, book art. But artist thomas allen has raised the bar even higher for these stunning images by cutting out the people and creatures on the covers and photographing them. Check back regularly to find your next favourite book.
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