One of the most relevant literary works in social and economic sciences, which is still a relevant tool for criticising the system in which many of us live, is Karl Marx's - Das Kapital
, first published in 1867. This work was used in many popular movements for social justice and had a profound influence in Latin America, not only in academic circles but also in the leftist revolutions that swept the region, especially in the middle of last century. The most common Spanish translation, however, is riddled with mistranslations, much of which affect the conceptual content of the book itself.

- El Capital
is the starting point for- Capital / Piracy,
a project by Milena Bonilla, from which emerges the edition - Capital Sinister Manuscript - Deluxe Version.
The Spanish version of Marx's famous work, illegal in its origin, is rewritten in its entirety with the left hand by a right-handed person, which resulted in 3 artist's editions: one edition is sold by bookshops and galleries, another "pirate" version is distributed for free on the streets of Bogotá and Havana, and a limited edition of 10 volumes, with hard cover and gilt spine, which is hereby mentioned.

The act of copying a book by hand takes on incredible value when this book exactly examines the value of a commodity, and how labour is timed and tuned depending on exchange values of a certain product, exploited until surplus value can be accrued by those leading a business. An artistic act is also a way of adding value to an object but, in this case, the labour dedication is also distressing and significant. The usefulness of the book is lost though, the prologue being the only legible part. In turn, the use of the left hand can also carry a political symbolism, but in this case, it is unable to convey the intended message - an act both poetic and with satirical humour by the Colombian artist.



DC