The artwork titled “One and Three Photograph English-German” by Joseph Kosuth, created in 1965, is a notable example of Conceptual Art. This installation piece measures 75 x 75 cm and demonstrates Kosuth’s fascination with the intersection of language, meaning, and representation.
The artwork comprises three distinct elements arranged side by side. On the left is a framed photograph of a tree, evoking a straightforward visual representation. The central piece is another framed photograph that appears identical to the first, emphasizing replication and exploring its implications. The element on the right is a framed text that includes the definition of the word “photograph” in both English and German. The text, set in a formal, dictionary-like presentation, underscores the linguistic aspect of the concept. The juxtaposition of the visual and textual components invites the viewer to reflect on the nature of representation and the process of interpretation, fundamental concerns of the Conceptual Art movement.