The site-specific text installation “Located World” (2000) by the international conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth is one of the outstanding examples of contemporary conceptual art in Singen. It is located on the surrounding frieze of Singen Town Hall, a neoclassical-inspired building dating from 1960, and integrates directly into the architecture as art in architecture.
For the art project commissioned for the State Garden Show, Kosuth chose text, language, and lettering as his central means of expression. A total of 29 names of cities, villages, and islands adorn the façade. The height of the neon letters decreases with increasing distance from Singen, regardless of the size or significance of the locations. The positioning of the names is based on the cardinal directions, making the town hall appear symbolically as a point of reference in the global space. At nightfall, the illuminated letters transform into a glowing “halo”—a fascinating interplay of light, architecture, and concept.
With “Located World,” Kosuth ironically and provocatively addresses Singen’s position in the world and questions the relationships between metropolis and periphery, center and province, proximity and distance. The work illustrates how places are relativized in the age of globalization: through modern communication and transportation, even distant cities grow closer in time and emotionally.
The installation invites viewers to think actively and explore the theoretical concepts behind the letter-based images. In this way, the audience itself becomes part of the artwork—whether through visual perception, intellectual reflection, or imaginative interaction.
“Located World” is owned by Sparkasse Hegau-Bodensee and transforms Singen City Hall into a cultural and artistic landmark in the heart of the city.
