Parthenon of Books
In July 2017, the Argentine artist Marta Minujin created a full-scale replica of the Parthenon for the Documenta 14 art festival in Kassel, Germany.
The installation was constructed from books which were censored by Nazi Germany, symbolising resistance to political repression. 100,000 books were sourced from round-the-world donations in collaboration with students at Kassel University.
The books were strapped to the steel frame structure with plastic sheeting, serving a dual function of protecting the books from the weather and allowing natural light to filter through the building.
Minujin chose Athens’ Parthenon as the subject for the installation because it symbolises ‘the aesthetic and political ideals of the world’s first democracy’. The site – Friedrichsplatz, Kassel – is also symbolic, being the place where 2,000 books were burned by the Nazis.
The intention is to recirculate the books once the festival is over.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Infrastructure nationalisation
What would the nationalisation of economic infrastructure mean for GB?
A new guide to improving value by reducing design error.
We've reached 80,000 page views a day and 10,000 registered users. Why not join them?
A masterplan is a framework within which a location is encouraged to develop or change. Read our introductory article.
New consultation announced on a specialist Housing Court to settle landlord-tenant disputes.
Inclusive cities and transport
ICE responds to a transport consultation advising the government to make decisions enabling more inclusive cities.
BRE and Loughborough University complete first phase refurbishment of demonstration home.
How the risk of collapse of fibrous plaster ceilings is being addressed in theatres.
We’re looking for a full-time Editor
If you’re a great writer and have practical experience of the construction industry, it could be you.
Frustrated by long documents or technical jargon? Put off by sign-up forms or costs? Take this 5 min survey to help improve construction knowledge.
These are attached to land that is the subject of a planning permission, and used to compensate for negative impacts.