How One Artist Transformed 6,000 Unwanted Copies of The Da Vinci Code into a Surreal Interpretation of Nineteen Eighty-Four

Editors Note: This article was originally published by The Art Newspaper, an editorial partner of CNN Style.

(CNN) The story started in 2017, when a charity-owned thrift store in Swansea, Wales, posted a notice in its window asking people to refrain from donating copies of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." The shop was receiving an average of one copy per day. This plea quickly gained popularity, catching the attention of British artist David Shrigley. Inspired by the situation, Shrigley embarked on a mission to collect as many copies as possible, amassing a total of 6,000 books over a span of six years.

The idea to transform them into replicas of George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" struck Shrigley while he revisited the dystopian novel during the pandemic. This year marked the 70th anniversary of Orwell's death, which meant the book was no longer under copyright and could be reproduced by anyone.

During the weekend, Shrigley's limited-edition rendition of Orwell's classic was exhibited in the thrift store that served as the project's inspiration, named "Pulped Fiction." Arranged in rows from floor to ceiling, the black-and-white covers create a disorienting effect. "It feels as if you've entered a totalitarian regime where choice is nonexistent. This is the book and you're obligated to read it," Shrigley humorously remarked during an interview.

The artist, who was an art student in the 1980s, initially encountered "Nineteen Eighty-Four" during that time. However, upon rereading the novel, he came to a realization that it remained profoundly impactful, even more so than when he originally read it, as it now seemed to hold greater relevance beyond its interpretation as a parable of Soviet or Chinese communism.

Shrigley believes that in today's society, the manipulation of language in books exposes the true nature of contemporary culture. This is particularly evident when discussing the language used regarding war. He points out how terms such as "ethnic cleansing" have replaced the more straightforward term "genocide," and how Russia's invasion of Ukraine was not simply a conflict but an actual war. Shrigley also highlights that certain societal disputes, like the "culture war," cannot be equated to a true war, as they are merely arguments.

To support his viewpoint, Shrigley refers to Margaret Atwood, who noted that her novel "The Handmaid's Tale," written in 1985, depicted events that had already occurred in the United States. These events included the erosion of women's rights and civil rights for the general population. According to Shrigley, these were not fictional occurrences but actual events happening during that time.

The Oxfam thrift store in Swansea, Wales went viral in 2017 after it printed this sign imploring people to stop donating copies of Dan Browns "The Da Vinci Code."

According to the artist, the same concept applies to "Nineteen Eighty-Four". He states that war is portrayed as peace, enemies are fabricated for us, and we are manipulated to believe that black is white and white is black. Additionally, day is depicted as night and night as day. The artist believes that this book remains highly pertinent and recommends that people read it.

Shrigley does not consider his project to be a critique of libraries, but he does give his thoughts on "The Da Vinci Code", calling it a book about a seemingly harmless conspiracy, unless it offends Christians, which he finds understandable. As for whether Brown would endorse his project, Shrigley explains that it has been challenging to reach him directly, but so far, there has been no negative feedback or legal action taken. (CNN's request for comment from Brown's representatives went unanswered.)

The Mona Lisa contains a rare compound that has been discovered, indicating the existence of a new secret, according to a study. Shrigley, along with his studio team and graphic designer Fraser Muggeridge, worked together in creating "Pulped Fiction," which is considered Shrigley's most conceptual work thus far. Interestingly, it is noteworthy that Muggeridge's grandfather, the notable journalist and broadcaster Malcolm Muggeridge, proofread the original novel written by Orwell.

With a price tag well exceeding six figures, the project has been completely self-financed. Shrigley acknowledges that he may not recoup his investment, but he is not concerned about it. In Swansea, the newly printed books are available for £495 ($600) for the first 250 customers, while the remaining one thousand copies will be sold for £795 ($963) on Shrigley's website.

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