INSTALLATION 1:2001 · FIRENZE

December 2001Nathalie Pozzi

Installation 1:2001 is a circular room of religious, ideological and philosophical books from all over the world.

The books are used as bricks to construct a temporary building, with their covers facing outward. A narrow entrance leads to the interior, where the white pages contrast with the colorful covers visible from the outside.

“10.000 religious, political and philosophical books that would have otherwise been destroyed were collected from universities and libraries around the world.

They were brought to Piazza della Republica in Florence and used as material for the work. Seen from the outside, the different languages, titles and colours form a rich collage. Inside all is just harmonious white paper.

The process and the work itself received a lot of attention. The installation was destroyed in 30 hours by the citizens of the Renaissance town. Although the books were written in languages they could not read, such as Polish or Lithuanian, all the books were taken home and the installation continues in their bookshelves.”

-Sami Rintala