The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth Promo from Little City Pictures on Vimeo.
Hans K Clausen is building The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth. A visual art installation, a sculpture, a library, a museum, a curiosity, a venue. It will consist solely of one novel, 1,984 copies of George Orwell’s iconic novel1984, donated and sourced from around the world.
‘The Library’ will form a living, touring artwork and a forum for creativity, curiosity and conversation. It will be launched on the Isle of Jura on the 8th June 2024, a sort of homecoming for the novel, on the 75th anniversary of its UK publication, celebrating the power and longevity of Orwell’s writing and cultural impact. It will then go on tour across the UK visiting locations of significance to Orwell.
Many of the copies carry the evidence and patina of their previous ownership, underlining’s and footnotes from a studying student, library stamps and names of borrowers, incidental inclusions of lost bookmarks, pressed flowers, birthday wishes or thanks for help, or simply the wear and tear of readership.
Some have been personalised by their previous owners, like Mihaela from Romania who donated a 1990’s Romanian edition including her brief note; “…I’m from Romania, my first 27 years I lived in this book. I was always hungry, cold and scared, playing with equalities and better world ideas can be dangerous…” Or Sidney from the USA who wrote in her donated copy; “…So much from this book is relevant today, our data is valuable, we ought to protect it…keep questioning assumptions and seek reputable sources…”
Others have had artistic interventions or alterations from sketching, doodling or collage, including twenty copies donated from students from the Art and Design class at Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts, where each student has treated their copy of the book as a blank canvas marking it in response to their reading experience.
‘The Library’ will exist to amplify the enduring significance of Orwell’s final novel (the first book I can remember reading to the end). I hope it will stand as a monument to publishing and the defiance of the printed word, and to affirm the timeless power of human story-telling to transcend borders, cultures and ideologies. It should be a celebration of the ethos and principles of public libraries, the pleasure and enlightenment of reading, and the timeless joy of holding a book in your hands.
Be a part of the library…
The project is still growing and there’s plenty room on the bespoke shelves of Winston Smith’s Library for more donated books. We’ll be very grateful for all donations, in any language and any condition, the more worn and personalised the better. All donors will receive a limited edition enamel badge a symbol of life time membership of The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth.
We’re also eager to hear from institutions, organisations, or any third parties who would be interested in partnering, hosting or sponsoring ‘The Library’ after its June 2024 launch in Jura, and from any artists or academics who may have ideas for collaborative events.
For book donations please post to:
Winston Smith, C/O Hans K Clausen, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 21 Hawthornvale, Edinburgh, EH6 4JT, Scotland.
For enquiries please email: [email protected]
For news follow us on Instagram: @winstonsmithlibrary
See you at the Jura Village Hall 08/06/2024!
