Documenta 14 is a series of art exhibitions, hosted every five years to commemorate the values of democracy and freedom of expression–hard-won, but too easily taken for granted. Behind the exhibit is Marta Minujin, who sought inspiration for the exhibit from one of her earlier works. In 1983, after the dissolution of dictatorship in Argentina, she created a Parthenon made out of forbidden books as a symbol against the intolerance represented by the old regime. Ellie Diaz at the American Library Association writes:
The Partenon de los libros was constructed in 1983 after the dictatorship in Argentina. Photo credit: Marta Minujin Archive. Image for The American Library Association
Her Partenn de los libros celebrated the willingness toward a free society after the breakdown of dictatorship. The Parthenon of Books has a more ambitious goal, standing for 95 more days than the original and made with tens of thousands more books.
To accomplish this feat, documenta is relying on donations of banned and challenged books from around the world. The Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundationcontributedfour challenged books: two novels from Phyllis Reynolds NaylorsAliceseries, a graphic novel by Jeff Smith andTwo Boys Kissingby David Levithan.
After the 100-day exhibit, the forbidden books will be distributed to the surrounding crowd.
Usually the books that are banned are the ones we cherish the most. Nevertheless, if there are any youd like to sendfor the exhibit being held in Germany, more information can be found by reading her full post at:
