Installation Reveals the Metaphoric Power of a Single Book Distorting a Solid Brick Wall

Brick Wall Installation Art by Jorge Méndez Blake

Mexican mixed media artist Jorge Méndez Blake transforms literature into sculpture with his latest piece of installation art, titled The Castle. At first glance, the piece appears as a normal brick wall, but a closer look reveals a subtle curved bulge in the middle of the 75-foot-long structure. As the eye moves down from the arched top, the viewer can see the culprit is a single book. Lodged in the mortarless wall’s foundation, between the floor and the first layer of bricks, is a copy of Franz Kafka’s The Castle.

With an architectural background and a life-long of love of books, Blake pays homage to Kafka by placing his novel at the base, so that it inflects the monumental red-brick structure. The author only ever wrote privately, and never intended his work to be published. It was only after his death that The Castle was published by a friend. Blake’s minimal approach reveals the power of a single book, and a metaphor for how a small idea can have a monumental effect.

Find more of Blake’s work on his website.

Mexican artist Jorge Méndez Blake pays homage to literature by incorporating a copy of Franz Kafka’s The Castle into his latest piece of installation art.

Brick Wall Installation Art by Jorge Méndez Blake

Balancing the entire brick wall, the book creates a bulge and curve in the centre of the 75 x 13 foot structure.

Brick Wall Installation Art by Jorge Méndez Blake

Blake’s minimal approach reveals the power of a single book, and a metaphor for how a small idea can have a monumental effect.

Brick Wall Installation Art by Jorge Méndez Blake

Brick Wall Installation Art by Jorge Méndez Blake

Jorge Méndez Blake: Website
h/t: [Colossal]

All images via Jorge Méndez Blake.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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