Paper and books support and inform our creativity—a fact that is perhaps best appreciated come September, when school begins again (and in this month's Literary Supplement, page 80). Artist Ramon Lascano celebrates paper and learning by turning discarded books into sculptures. Using primarily map encyclopedias, Lascano folds each page of a book to create an intricate textural form. Sometimes he combines several books to form wall-mounted murals or free-standing installations of larger geometric shapes such as diamonds, rhomboids, squares, or columns.

Born and raised in Argentina, Lascano emigrated to the US while studying architecture at Bard College in 1974. His "Altered Books" series "explores pattern and shape," he explains. "Combinations of books create visual rhythms both in the overall shape and of the folds. The text wraps in and around the folds, creating additional patterns which are complemented by light and shadows falling on the pages."

Lascano's larger works are featured through September 25 in the group exhibition "Pulp: Works on Paper" (also including work by Sarah Berney, Kathy Burge, Valerie Hammond, and Leigh Palmer, among others) at Carrie Haddad Gallery, 622 Warren Street, Hudson. His smaller works will be included in the gallery's "Winter show." For more information: (518) 828-1915; www.carriehaddadgallery.com.

Ramon Lascano is also the co-owner of Haddad Lascano Gallery, 297 Main Street, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. For information: (413) 528-0471; www.haddadlascano.com.