As familiar as it is, it’s easy to forget how disquieting the story of Rapunzel really is: a young girl escapes imprisonment by allowing her suitor to climb her own hair all the way up into her tower.

In this volume, sculptor Elke Härtel—whose work reimagines mythical female figures in abject yet stoic poses—restores the story of Rapunzel to its exquisitely creepy origins. This evocative, pictorial book documents Härtel’s fascinating process of recreating Rapunzel, tracing the genesis of her artwork from the first study to the casting to the installation. Featuring lavish illustrations, this book offers a glimpse into contemporary sculpture as well as the sinister beauty of a timeless fairy tale.