The
Modern Artists Cafe
Installations
by M.H.
(late 1950's-present)
Installations first appeared in the late 1950s and the early 1960s. They came about because Pop artists such as Andy Warhol needed a setting to showcase their art (Paidon, 504). Warhol began to design environments for Happenings, social events often used to showcase art and creativity. The environments created for the Happenings were usually designed to complement specific works of art. Soon however, Installations became its own art style. Installation Art is an art form that has no definite boundaries. It often uses the physical or historical features of the space given. The artist uses any combination of materials at the site he or she feels is most appropriate to express a concept or evoke a feeling. The site is the location that that artist has their installation. It can be a room, a gallery, even a entire building. (Warton).
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Installations typically involve theatrical dramatizations of space. Phaidon states, "Installations is the process of positioning works in the gallery setting." (503) While installations have now developed into a distinctive style of art, the Installations are frequently temporary, due to the fact that they are often not sold. Most permanent installations are created specifically for major private collections and museums.
- LIGHTS
- SCREENS
- SHEETS
- WOOD
- SILKS
- SATINS
- MIRRORS
The items used in Installations depend on the artist and what look the artist is trying to achieve. Weismann says, "Some aspects that are very popular in Installation art is that many lights and screens are used," (471). Light has developed into a major aspect of Installations. The lights provide a more unique look that the artist may be going for, (Bizovichar). The light is usually concealed though out the Installation. "Screens and sheets are often used with lights. . . " . Wood is also I popular material. "A single installation may be just two wooden boxes set up next to each other that is so powerful, and imaginative, that it is pure magic," says Janson, (354). Some other materials used are silks, satins, and mirrors. "Many of the silks, satins, and various blankets are draped over other standing objects," says Arning (170). Cascading ropes are sometimes used for an extra, or an added look that the artist is creating. (Selz, 539)
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Installations Classified
Much of the time, Installations are grouped or categorized by the materials used. Some of the categories used for Installations are described in the Art Journal as that
". . . the installations now being made all over the world are of two different types: first, there is the installation that is essentially a collection of objects, of which one large object is composed; second, there is the installation that rejects, or claims to reject, the object as a matter of principle but nevertheless completely transforms space and is the principal agent of such transformation. Of special interest to me is the type of installation that transforms the room down to the smallest detail, so that it is reconstructed, painted over, and so on. All the parameters of the space are re-created anew; a cosmos of sorts is brought to life."
Some critics disagree with that perception. Many believe that there are many more than two different types of Installations. Some Installations do not have any kind of decoration, such as pictures or other elaborate objects. Some just have a stair case or a wall that it is strategically placed to achieve the style the artist wants, (Selz, 339). The decorations or items used in Installations determine its classification.
Notable Installation Artists
Many different artists contributed in popularization of Installations. They each have there own styles and techniques. Here are some of the more well known Installation artists.
- - Andy Warhol: Warhol is perhaps the most well known Installation artist, but he is more famous for his Pop Art. Warhol's paintings of soup cans and his use of repetition in many of his works were showcased by the settings he created in these early Installations. (Phaidon, 504)
- - Nigel Heads: Heads is very famous for having just some shelves or small framed pictures in his installations. Even though his additions to the room or the wall are small, the items that create the artwork get the look that he wants to achieve. (Artstream).
- - Robert Irwin: Irwin created many subtle visual experiences with his style of Installations. He was known for using art that interacted with the space in the gallery given to him. (Selz)
- - Lynn Hershman: Hershman is known for her work with mirrors in her Installations. When she uses mirrors, she sets them up in a specific way to accent the reflect the surroundings and even the viewers face.
- - Vito Acconci: In many of Acconci's Installations, he uses ropes. He installed a platform in Weight University using rope ladders. His artwork deals a lot with physical and psychological states. His installations usually inspire many questions because of their individuality. (Selz)
- - Anne Hamilton: "Ann Hamilton is a contemporary visual artist who orchestrates large-scale, site-responsive installations. Criticism and art historical analyses of her work have naturally focused on the visual cues presented in her installations," (Warton)
Where to Find Installations Today
Installations can be found in many museums and houses around the world.
- Stiffs is at Williamson Gallery in Pasadena, California.
- Absolutely Fashionable is at New York's SOHO2O gallery.
The Smithsonian Museum frequently uses Installation art to display U.S. heritage and history. The Installations complement the artifacts .
- Arning, Bill. "Joyce Scott at Richard Anderson." Art in America 10 (Oct. 1999)
- Janson, H. W. History of Art. New York: Abrams, 1977.
- Phaidon. The 20th Century Art Book. London: Phaidon, 1996.
- Selz, Peter. Art in our Times, A Pictorial History 1890-1980. New York: Abrams, 1981.
- Weismann, Donald L. The Visual Arts as Human Experience. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1980.
Links
History and Thought
of Western Man
Rich East High School *Park Forest,
IL 60466
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