A commentary on censorship and democracy, the “Parthenon of Books“by Argentinian artist Marta Minujín is now on display in Kassel, Germany, at Friedrichsplatz Park—the site where around 2,000 prohibited books were burned by Nazi sympathizers in 1933.
The structure, commissioned by art exhibition documenta 14, recreates the ancient Greek Parthenon (known as a symbol of the world’s first democracy) with steel, plastic sheeting, and around 100,000 books that are currently prohibited in various countries around the world.
MinujÍn partnered with University of Kassel professors Nikola Roßbach and Florian Gassner to put together a list of 170 banned titles—ranging from the entire works of Kant and Freud to Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series—and called upon the public for book donations to build the 19.5 meter-tall, 65.6 meter-long, and 29.5 meter-wide structure.
MinujÍn originally created the piece in Buenos Aires, Argetina, using books banned during the country’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. It went on display on December 19, 1983, one week after the restoration of democracy in the country.
The “Parthenon of Books” will be on display until Sept. 17.
Courtesy Roman Maerz
Courtesy Roman Maerz
Courtesy Roman Maerz
Courtesy Roman Maerz
