Radio Show Explores Censorship and Marta Minujín's Parthenon of Books
In the fifth episode of Radio Show Me What Democracy Looks Like, which aired on September 23, 2026, Richard Finlay Fletcher delves into themes of censorship, press freedom, and the banning of books, using Marta Minujín's The Parthenon of Books (1983/2017) as a focal point. This artistic installation showcases a replica of the Parthenon constructed from books that were prohibited during Argentina's military regime. Originally unveiled in 1983, it was reintroduced in 2017 at documenta 14 in Kassel, Germany, symbolizing a transition from military to capitalist governance, with references to the IMF. The episode features insights from Pierre Bal-Blanc, curatorial discussions, and a footnote by Judith Revel regarding the economic aspects of freedom, concluding with Billie Eilish's TV (2022).
Key facts
- Episode 5 of Radio Show Me What Democracy Looks Like was released on September 23, 2026.
- The episode is hosted by Richard Finlay Fletcher.
- The episode examines censorship, freedom of the press, and book bans in democratic visual culture.
- Marta Minujín's The Parthenon of Books (1983/2017) is a central subject.
- The work was first created in 1983 as part of La Caída de los mitos universales (The Fall of Universal Myths).
- The 2017 restaging took place at documenta 14 on Friedrichsplatz in Kassel, Germany.
- The sculpture was built from books banned during Argentina's military dictatorship.
- The episode includes commentary by Pierre Bal-Blanc and a text by Judith Revel on two forms of freedom.
- A musical outro features Billie Eilish's TV (2022).
Entities
Artists
- Marta Minujín
- Richard Finlay Fletcher
- Pierre Bal-Blanc
- Judith Revel
- Billie Eilish
Institutions
- documenta 14
- International Monetary Fund
- Material Matters Library
- Aneducation
- Exergue on documenta 14
- Radio Show Me What Democracy Looks Like
Locations
- Argentina
- Kassel
- Germany
- Athens
- Greece
- Friedrichsplatz
- Northern Europe
- Southern Europe