Argentinian artist Marta Minujín,
has created an amazing monumental replica of the Greek Parthenon from 100,000 of
banned books. The artist believes, it
symbolizes the resistance to political repression. However, the Parthenon of
Books in Kassel, Germany is part of the Documenta 14 art festival. The public
was then asked to donate these texts, which were wrapped in protective plastic
and hung from the structure being asked to continue bringing volumes with them
when visiting the exhibition. The 74 years old artists with the help of
students from Kassel University, Minujín identified over 170 titles that were
or are banned in different countries around the world, and build the full-size
replica of the iconic temple from those books, plastic sheeting, and steel.
But perhaps Germany’s most
controversial book – Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” – will not figure on the
Parthenon. Whatsoever for a good reason: the Nazis were infamous censors of
books. To build on this concept, The Parthenon of Books sits on a site where more
than 2,000 books were burned by the Nazis in 1933 as part of the so-called
Action against the Un-German Spirit. It's a stark reminder that the written
word has consistently been used in actions of censorship throughout history. Where
they burn books, at the end they also burn people,” Heinrich Heine said in the
19th century. It's likely for visitors to become part of the artwork by
checking the list of banned books and bringing along a text for inclusion in
the work, which will be on display until September. She dilapidate the fortune
these myths represent. By literally tilting these symbols, Minujín not only
gives new meaning to these monuments, she offers them a new sensuality.”
