University library

The artwork "Letter Mobile as a Typographic Installation" by Gustl Freymüller is a fascinating and multi-layered artistic statement that delves deeply into the meaning and symbolism of writing. This installation, created in 2011 from dense foam polystyrene, hangs in the reading hall of the University Library of Bayreuth and was sponsored by the Rotary Club Bayreuth.

The installation emphasizes the central role of writing as a cultural technique. Writing is not only a means of communication but also a tool that preserves knowledge and history. The library, as a place of knowledge and written records, thus provides the ideal setting for this work of art.

The integration of Latin capital letters, Chinese characters, and letters from the Africa Alphabet highlights the universality of writing. This diversity symbolizes the connection between different cultures and languages through the shared medium of written language.

The alphabet as a principle of order plays a central role in the installation. It represents structure and systematics, as found in encyclopedias, card indexes, and registers. The 26 letters of the Latin alphabet and the digits representing numbers are the building blocks that shape our understanding and organization of the world.

The ascetic rigor of the letters and numbers reflects the clarity and precision required to organize and make complex information accessible. This rigor is also evident in the typographic design of the installation, which focuses on reduction and essence.

The placement at the entrance of the university library reinforces the significance of the work. It welcomes visitors with a visual reminder of the foundations of knowledge and communication that are collected and preserved within the library.

(Quelle: https://www.presse.uni-bayreuth.de/de/archiv/2011/187-177-Mobile-UniBibliothek.pdf)