Modern civilization would be inconceivable without letters. The printed word, made out of letters strung together to form sentences and scripture, has very much shaped our existence. Anselm Kiefer s work Die Buchstaben, which is being portrayed in this volume, is all about the power of the word. Impressive images such as sunflowers growing out of a printing machine and rolls of film and letters scattered across the floor come together to form a complex and poetic installation."