FALLING BOOKS
by Raoul Tomaselli
The metaphor of books falling is connected to the decay of knowledge towards black artist, heritage and community. My artist, Theaster Gates, will inhabit the northern part of the building representing “the standing books, which found their reader”. As being understood and acknowledge by a wider audience, Theaster is providing space to the unheard and unseen or misunderstood. In contrast, there is the archive/library which is represented by “falling books” on the outside (East elevation). Being curios is among the most beautiful things in life and as you enter the building you will find this contrasting theme: where the outside represented the “falling knowledge” the inside leads you to the “STAIRWAY TO KNOWLEDGE” towards the top of the building. Like an epiphany this building is meant for the non-black community to gain their knowledge and erase the disparity.
