Installation Art

Reflect:

With installation art, an artist modifies a space in some way and then asks us to enter, explore, and experience it. Some installations may remind us of some places our mind invents in our dreams. Others have been compared to sets of a play or in films. And others can represent places that we are already familiar with. It’s creating a work of art out of space and utilizing it to fit the theme of your work. Any types of materials can be used in installation art. There are no limitations and that’s why it is enjoyable. The video talks about an installation that was made on the outside of a building. This rotating piece made windows more accessible. People were able to see inside the building from a ground level instead of having to go up levels. It was a very intricate work, one that I would have never even thought of. But it was eye catching and expanded on my perceptions of art and it’s creation and purpose. And installation art is made for just that. It’s to open your mind and bring it to extremes that you don’t really think art can reach. 

Plan:

One of the works I felt the most connection with was Thomas Hirschhorn’s “Jumbo Spoons and Big Cake”. I have an enormous sweet tooth, so this work really stood out to me. Plus, it is huge! I would have never imagined a work being that side before. Any all materials incorporated within the work make it what it is. Not only is it in the shape of a cake, it represents the world and problems within it such as famine and war. This is very appealing to me because it allows the audience to engage in the work. The theme that appealed to me the most is Media. There are so many media influence in our lives today, it’s easy to say that it’s accumulating most of it. From televisions, phones, computers, iPods, etc, our daily lives are filled with the external world and I could definitely say that affects us in so many ways. In my installation I used many devices that affect my every day life. It is located on the floor in an open space by a window with that light shining down on it. 

My installation:

My installation is comprised of two computers, a phone, two iPods, a camera, a large picture frame and cords. Each serve their own specific purpose. The main idea in my installation is to show how daily, routine life is so closely connected to media and technology. The focal point of the installation is the large picture frame comprised of a collage of myself and many of the people in my life. They are various pictures taken from parties, events, and random car rides! On both the left and right side of the frame are cords. On the right side, the cord is connected to a computer with facebook open on it. Facebook is so evident in our daily lives. Almost everything is posted up on it and nothing is kept a secret. People reveal so much about themselves from where they’re going and at what time to what they’re doing in the present moment. On the left side of the frame is a cord that is connected to a computer with YouTube open on it. YouTube is another influence in our lives today. Again, anything and everything is posted on YouTube, mostly for entertainment. However, sometimes this can be taken too far and too much can be posted up. Documentaries of peoples lives are posted, practical jokes are posted and even harmful videos can be posted. It is also out there for everyone to see. Sitting in either side of each computer is a phone and an iPod Touch. Both these are internet accessible and consume our lives. From texting, to email, to even more access to Facebook, our lives seem to be controlled by these devices. In the center of the installation, right below the frame, are a camera and an iPod. Again, these devices are major parts of our lives. A camera is always needed when posting pictures all over Facebook of daily activities. iPods are used mostly for music and entertainment but impact us, surprisingly health-wise too! The iPod has a cord attached to it that is also linked to both computers. These cords represent an attachment and connection from our everyday lives to technology and it’s influence. In one certain picture, you’re able to see the light coming from outside. The installation was set up under a window so the light was able to shine through, however it had a bad effect on the quality of the pictures taken. That light and window though represent our outside world, one in which we may seem disconnected from because we’re so focused on the technology around us.