Installation
Installations activate the space in a way that 2D art and traditional sculpture cannot. Since they are not confined to the wall or to a pedestal, they can be transformative in such a way that they alter the space and create another world. Installations can surround the viewer, or create another place that is slightly out of reach. Site-specific works are even more transformative, since they directly relate to the space and usually have a deeper meaning. Context effects become very important when considering creating installations. The meaning of a site has a large impact on the translation of the piece. For instance, if you put a sculpture of mossy rocks inside, it has a much different meaning than it would outdoors.
Installations can be referred to as imagined places and can also be categorized into: pictorial places, places of the mind, and reconstructed spaces. Pictorial places are often 3D set-ups that are meant only for viewing, such as tableaus. These spaces are set up like a living theater, and are often viewed from one angle. The benefit of this type of installation is that the artist can construct imaginative, fantastical places, such as Marcel Duchamp’s Étant donnés, which is only visible through a peephole so he can manipulate the space. A downside to this type of installation is that the viewer may feel removed from the space instead of immersed in it.
Installations that deal with places of the mind often deal with personal issues and memories. They often use video projections and sound clips to engage the viewer. For example, Pepon Osorio uses video projections of interviews of real people’s stories displayed in rooms to bring the art to the community. An advantage of this type of installation is that viewers may better understand the content because of the multiple components; however, if the subject matter is too personal it may not be universal. Places of the mind function because of the symbolic quality of the work, and the materials used to create the installation.
Reconstructed spaces can range anywhere from systematic earth art to light projections on buildings. They are successful because they are recreating a quality in a different context, which therefore draws attention to it. For example, Jenny Holzer’s LED light boards display interesting textual message that make you stop and think because they are out of context. You don’t expect to see a quote projected on a library, and therefore you are more likely to stop and read it. Reconstructed spaces can also be systematic landscapes like Maya Lin’s works. She uses a specific site and researches and interviews community members until she has created a design that is meaningful to the place. This is beneficial because the installation will be significant to the community and therefore better understood.
Whether it is a pictorial place, a place of the mind, or a reconstructed space, installations have a lot of advantages over 2D work or traditional sculpture. People often feel removed from work that is hanging on a gallery wall or work that is roped off and watched by guards; however, installations allow people to become a part of the art.