Crazy Pablo: The Politics of Meaning

The Chair – What We See (marked red)

Let’s start with the obvious: a real, simple folding chair, the kind you’d find in a school, office, or waiting room. It’s not fancy. And that’s the point. Kosuth didn’t choose the chair because it’s beautiful—he chose it because it’s normal. So normal, in fact, that we almost forget to ask: what makes this a chair?

The Photo – What We Capture (marked blue)

Next to the chair is a photograph of that same chair. Same object, same size, same place—but it’s now flattened into an image. Kosuth makes us pause and wonder: is a photo of a chair still a chair? We know it’s not the real thing, but it still stands in for the real thing. Suddenly, photography isn’t just about memories—it’s about how we translate reality.

The Definition – What We Say (marked green)

Finally, there’s a blown-up dictionary definition of the word “chair.” No object. No image. Just language. This is the brainy part: Kosuth reminds us that we often understand things not by seeing or touching them, but by reading about them, talking about them, defining them. So which one is the “real” chair? The one we sit on? The one we see? Or the one we describe?

Think About It 🤔 

Each version represents the same object—but in completely different ways. It’s a visual riddle that turns into a philosophical question. And suddenly, you’re not just looking at art. You’re thinking about thinking.

Who gets to decide what something means? Is it the maker? The viewer? The dictionary? The photograph? Or is it all just a constructed illusion that changes with context?

In politics, media, even personal relationships—we often confuse symbols with reality. We argue over signs, cling to labels, and forget that representation is never the full picture. As Kosuth suggests, meaning isn’t fixed. It’s made. It’s interpreted. And it’s always up for negotiation.

How does it relate to the here and now? or What to say during casual conversation to show off your art knowledge?

News or Narrative? - “In today's news cycle, we’re constantly shown images, headlines, and soundbites that claim to 'explain' the world. But Kosuth’s One and Three Chairs reminds us: even the most familiar word—like ‘chair’—can have multiple meanings, depending on how it's framed.”

What You See Isn’t Always What You Know - “It’s a powerful metaphor for modern media. Whether we’re talking about war, politics, or culture, every word carries assumptions, and every photo is just one angle. Next time you're reading the news, ask yourself: Is this the object, the image, or just the definition someone chose to show me?”

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