Installation Art vs. Art

Installation Art is an artistic genre of three-dimensional, on-site work that take up a designated space. Installation art can be either temporary or permanent. The pieces of art are constructed in exhibition spaces such as museums and galleries, as well as public and private spaces. Installation art incorporates all of your senses. The use of sight, sound, performance, virtual reality, and internet in an interior space.

Installation art is a very broad genre of art. It defies the meaning of the elements and emotions involved in art. This movement of installation art started in the 1960's and was made popular in the 1970's. Installation is theatrical, immersive, and experimental. Most of installation art is influenced by earlier works such as Marcel DuChamp's "Fountain" (1917). A very popular exhibit of installation art today is found in the Tate Modern in London, England. This museum has incredible pieces of art such as Rachel Whitread's, "Embankment" (as shown in the photo).

But what exactly makes Installation art stand out? First of all, there is a much more different experience that someone can derive from installation art than simply looking at a painting. Plus in several occasions, there is an artist interaction with the painting. In one case, the artist actually lived in her art. Another interaction is that there is a crack down the middle of one of the rooms at the Tate. It allows the audience and the viewers to actually interact with the art as well. This three-dimensional appeal in installation art actually touches on the boundaries of what constitutes art. Is this three-dimensional approach really art?

My personal opinion is that a painting/portrait delivers viewers with a much more emotional effect that installation art can ever provide. However, not to denote installation art, it does provide an empowering feel to it. The massive and elaborate artwork can be very overwhelming to the audience, but i offer that one objection to it. The emotional factor given to us through framed and pictorial art is lost significantly. That is just my opinion however, you can offer yours.