The artwork titled “Subject and Object,” created by Joseph Kosuth in 1966, is a seminal piece within the genre of installation art and is part of the Conceptual Art movement.
The artwork consists of a simple but profound phrase crafted in neon light: “SUBJECT SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECT OBJECTIVE.” Set against a dark background, the neon letters emit a stark, bright light that accentuates their presence and meaning. This minimalist composition challenges the viewer to contemplate the philosophical dichotomy between subjectivity and objectivity, a central theme in much of Kosuth’s work. The use of neon as a medium is characteristic of Kosuth’s approach to art, emphasizing the importance of language and meaning over visual aesthetics. The work serves as an example of how Conceptual Art prioritizes the conceptual interpretation over traditional artistic elements.
