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Artist Uses 100,000 Banned Books To Build A Full-Size Parthenon At Historic Nazi Book Burning Site
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Artist Uses 100,000 Banned Books To Build A Full-Size Parthenon At Historic Nazi Book Burning Site

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Argentinian artist Marta Minujín, 74, has created a monumental replica of the Greek Parthenon from 100,000 copies of banned books. According to the artist, it symbolizes the resistance to political repression.

The Parthenon of Books in Kassel, Germany is part of the Documenta 14 art festival. 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 constructed the full-size replica of the iconic temple from those books, plastic sheeting, and steel.

But probably what is Germany’s most controversial book – Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” – will not figure on the Parthenon. And for a good reason: the Nazis were notorious censors of books. In fact, Minujín’s work stands on a historic site where the Nazis burnt some 2,000 books in 1933 as part of a very broad campaign of censorship. “Where they burn books, at the end they also burn people,” Heinrich Heine said in the 19th century.

More info: documenta14.de (h/t: mmm)

Image credits: Roman März

Image credits: alexgorlin

Image credits: si.leika

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Image credits: thegood.thebad.thebooks

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drewebshop avatar
Audrey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Harry Potter banned ? They are afraid if people learn magic tricks ?

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

magic is evil!! but pedophilia is good according the the vatican

Load More Replies...
justathought avatar
virgilblue avatar
abdellahnajime avatar
Abdellah Najime
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that there's a whole bunch of books that I have to read..

malazaridoux avatar
neo_markod avatar
Marcos Graff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty much in every communist state thrugh history and in some military anti-imperialist dictatorships. Franco in Spain banned it, Cahvez in Venezuela also did it.

Load More Replies...
melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I noticed Twilight in there. That should be banned because it's awful writing, nothing else.

szaniszlovivienfineart avatar
Vivien Szaniszlo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really love books, and every kind of arts. And this is both of them :)

wroehlig avatar
Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stop looking at these pictures. What an amazing artist !

mike_smite avatar
Mike Scholz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pictures make it look good. It looks not that good in person. I live in the city and they only built it for the documenta

samae avatar
Sam AE
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1984 banned... for obvious reason keep the sheeple sheepheaded

junepixeld avatar
June Pixeld
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a great thing to do to keep reminding us of our history. Who knows maybe in 100 years it will be made from banned internet websites:)

timkherrmann avatar
Tim Herrmann
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is more than 2500 different titles hanging and currently just above 50000 books. Also people can still send banned books to be a part of the project and check out the list of banned books (far over 100000 titles) here: http://www.documenta14.de/en/news/1601/call-for-book-donations If you need more info, I did not find an easier way to contact you. Not using this site. I'm one of the students working on this project. :)

traceymacdonald1954 avatar
Tracey MacDonald
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ironic, the banned books in the structure, are inaccessible for use....... I get the symbolism. But for the money and effort, why not build a bibliothek?

melinaterrazaponce avatar
Melina Terraza Ponce
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The books will be donated at the end of the festival, Minujín did the same work in Argentina in 1983 to celebrate democracy and the books were also donated at the end.

Load More Replies...
leannemariedantoni avatar
Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, and important. I wonder if, when the festival is over, the artist will provide scissors so people can cut out books they want?

samae avatar
Sam AE
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but how can you read these if you stick em to a wall :(

jenniester avatar
Jenni Ester
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing, but won't the books get ruined if it rains? Hopefully that plastic is very strong. I would love see it :)

victoria_mathis3 avatar
Victoria Mathis
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's just crazy to understand how many mind opening books have been banned or are currently banned. For years after 9-11, the Secretary General of the UN's book was banned in the U.S . Teen author, Jud Bloom's book, "It's me, God" is still banned in some school district's.

cosplaytae avatar
Amy Tae
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the sun's heat is going to melt the plastic to the book covers : / Or at the very least, fade them.

jiemog avatar
Gottlob Frege
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dn't get the purpose if a list of banned books/ by/ countries isn't done ...

acurutchet-mail avatar
Alberto Curutchet
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like at a certain point every book has been banned in at least one place...

kenribasar avatar
Kenri Basar
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those sheets of plastic wrapped like that is making me uneasy... I can't breathe!

guyplh0919 avatar
Guy L'Hoste
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's okay. A Mickey Mouse comic book was up there. So, that makes it all okay.

charles000 avatar
Charles O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant artist rendering a brilliant message, one which needs to be remembered lest one of the darkest chapters in human history be repeated once again.

michaelfoley avatar
Michael Foley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The article is misleading. It states that the artist "created a monumental replica of the Greek Parthenon from 100,000 copies of banned books". It isn't a work of art 'built from' books, but a wire-frame construct 'decorated' with books. Quite a big difference. And boring.

Load More Replies...
charles000 avatar
Charles O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic! A brilliant artist with a brilliant message, a message which should never be forgotten, lest an exceedingly dark chapter of human history should be repeated again.

sickboy1974 avatar
Sick Boy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making stuff out of unexpected stuff isn't that much of a news anymore.

Load More Replies...
juan-i-alcorta avatar
Juan Alcorta
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if, instead of horrible conceptual art, we use the money to donate books to those who can´t afford them?

neo_markod avatar
Marcos Graff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thoughts exactly but if it helps, the artist donates a good chunk of the money from her expositions to charities in Argentina.

Load More Replies...
jenicabaetiong avatar
Jenica Baetiong
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually felt pretty horrified seeing those books on the walls outside. I get the intent but one way or another some of those books are going to be damaged. Not exactly an ideal place for them despite all the plastic. Would have been better if people could actually read them.

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What does the Parthenon have to do with Nazis ? ..... nothing

machintruc avatar
Milo Rastapopoulos
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Harry Potter, that mind-numbing s**t, should be banned everywhere in the world.

amandajoybarry_1 avatar
Amanda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So should people like you. Harry Potter is better in so many ways.

Load More Replies...
sickboy1974 avatar
Sick Boy
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

These copies will all end up in trash at the end of the day and no one gets to read them. Kind of ironic, considering the intent.

laurendowden avatar
Lauren Dowden
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that at the end of the presentation. The books are given away for free.

Load More Replies...
drewebshop avatar
Audrey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Harry Potter banned ? They are afraid if people learn magic tricks ?

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

magic is evil!! but pedophilia is good according the the vatican

Load More Replies...
justathought avatar
virgilblue avatar
abdellahnajime avatar
Abdellah Najime
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that there's a whole bunch of books that I have to read..

malazaridoux avatar
neo_markod avatar
Marcos Graff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty much in every communist state thrugh history and in some military anti-imperialist dictatorships. Franco in Spain banned it, Cahvez in Venezuela also did it.

Load More Replies...
melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I noticed Twilight in there. That should be banned because it's awful writing, nothing else.

szaniszlovivienfineart avatar
Vivien Szaniszlo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really love books, and every kind of arts. And this is both of them :)

wroehlig avatar
Nancy E
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't stop looking at these pictures. What an amazing artist !

mike_smite avatar
Mike Scholz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pictures make it look good. It looks not that good in person. I live in the city and they only built it for the documenta

samae avatar
Sam AE
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1984 banned... for obvious reason keep the sheeple sheepheaded

junepixeld avatar
June Pixeld
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a great thing to do to keep reminding us of our history. Who knows maybe in 100 years it will be made from banned internet websites:)

timkherrmann avatar
Tim Herrmann
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is more than 2500 different titles hanging and currently just above 50000 books. Also people can still send banned books to be a part of the project and check out the list of banned books (far over 100000 titles) here: http://www.documenta14.de/en/news/1601/call-for-book-donations If you need more info, I did not find an easier way to contact you. Not using this site. I'm one of the students working on this project. :)

traceymacdonald1954 avatar
Tracey MacDonald
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ironic, the banned books in the structure, are inaccessible for use....... I get the symbolism. But for the money and effort, why not build a bibliothek?

melinaterrazaponce avatar
Melina Terraza Ponce
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The books will be donated at the end of the festival, Minujín did the same work in Argentina in 1983 to celebrate democracy and the books were also donated at the end.

Load More Replies...
leannemariedantoni avatar
Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, and important. I wonder if, when the festival is over, the artist will provide scissors so people can cut out books they want?

samae avatar
Sam AE
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but how can you read these if you stick em to a wall :(

jenniester avatar
Jenni Ester
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing, but won't the books get ruined if it rains? Hopefully that plastic is very strong. I would love see it :)

victoria_mathis3 avatar
Victoria Mathis
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's just crazy to understand how many mind opening books have been banned or are currently banned. For years after 9-11, the Secretary General of the UN's book was banned in the U.S . Teen author, Jud Bloom's book, "It's me, God" is still banned in some school district's.

cosplaytae avatar
Amy Tae
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the sun's heat is going to melt the plastic to the book covers : / Or at the very least, fade them.

jiemog avatar
Gottlob Frege
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dn't get the purpose if a list of banned books/ by/ countries isn't done ...

acurutchet-mail avatar
Alberto Curutchet
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like at a certain point every book has been banned in at least one place...

kenribasar avatar
Kenri Basar
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those sheets of plastic wrapped like that is making me uneasy... I can't breathe!

guyplh0919 avatar
Guy L'Hoste
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's okay. A Mickey Mouse comic book was up there. So, that makes it all okay.

charles000 avatar
Charles O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant artist rendering a brilliant message, one which needs to be remembered lest one of the darkest chapters in human history be repeated once again.

michaelfoley avatar
Michael Foley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The article is misleading. It states that the artist "created a monumental replica of the Greek Parthenon from 100,000 copies of banned books". It isn't a work of art 'built from' books, but a wire-frame construct 'decorated' with books. Quite a big difference. And boring.

Load More Replies...
charles000 avatar
Charles O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic! A brilliant artist with a brilliant message, a message which should never be forgotten, lest an exceedingly dark chapter of human history should be repeated again.

sickboy1974 avatar
Sick Boy
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making stuff out of unexpected stuff isn't that much of a news anymore.

Load More Replies...
juan-i-alcorta avatar
Juan Alcorta
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if, instead of horrible conceptual art, we use the money to donate books to those who can´t afford them?

neo_markod avatar
Marcos Graff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thoughts exactly but if it helps, the artist donates a good chunk of the money from her expositions to charities in Argentina.

Load More Replies...
jenicabaetiong avatar
Jenica Baetiong
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually felt pretty horrified seeing those books on the walls outside. I get the intent but one way or another some of those books are going to be damaged. Not exactly an ideal place for them despite all the plastic. Would have been better if people could actually read them.

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

What does the Parthenon have to do with Nazis ? ..... nothing

machintruc avatar
Milo Rastapopoulos
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Harry Potter, that mind-numbing s**t, should be banned everywhere in the world.

amandajoybarry_1 avatar
Amanda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So should people like you. Harry Potter is better in so many ways.

Load More Replies...
sickboy1974 avatar
Sick Boy
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

These copies will all end up in trash at the end of the day and no one gets to read them. Kind of ironic, considering the intent.

laurendowden avatar
Lauren Dowden
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that at the end of the presentation. The books are given away for free.

Load More Replies...
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