Just came across a bizarre use of romance novels:
In Termitaria (2001), contemporary environmental artist Perdita Phillips collaborated with termites. For this artwork, Phillips buried 850 romance novels in soil for a year. The insects, commonly known as white ants that consume decaying materials buried underground, ate the books. In so doing, the insects were also likely intermingling with nematodes, moulds and other microscopic organisms in the soil. While many of the books were completely consumed, Phillips was able to 'excavate' some remaining works and display them as 'sculptures'. These half-eaten copies look as though they might have been buried centuries ago, the edges of the pages undulate with holes and gaps, and only the spines of the books retain their structure.
However, while their forms are indeed sculptural due to the layers of pages, arrangements of the holes and aging patina, Termitaria is less a work for humans than a multiscalar engagement. The novels are now part of a 'romance' with the soil, a more-than-human sharing of cells. (2011)
from
Paterson, Eddie and Lara Stevens (2025). Performing Climates. Routledge, London.
You can see an image of one of the 'sculptures" at the artist's website: https://www.perditaphillips.com/portfolio/termitaria-657/
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