Reader CV, 2026

Jose Manuel Solares  

A sculpture inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote: “Some books set us free, and others make us free."

Emerson distinguishes between books that simply allow us to feel free and those that truly transform the way we think and help us achieve freedom.

Some books “set us free" because they offer us a moment of escape from reality. When we read, we can step away from our worries, travel in our imagination, and discover other places, eras, and characters. However, there are books that go much further: they “make us free" because they teach us to think for ourselves, to question what we take for granted, and to form our own opinions.

True freedom isn't just about being able to do what we want, but also about having the ability to reason, choose, and make conscious decisions. In this sense, reading can free us from ignorance, prejudice, and ideas imposed by others. A book can show us new perspectives and help us better understand the world and ourselves.

Emerson reminds us that reading can be an act of freedom. A good book not only entertains but can also change the way we think and help us become more critical, independent, and self-aware. That's why some books simply allow us to escape for a moment, while others have the power to change us forever and make us truly free.