Installation Art - Essence and Existence

Zurbrugg, Nicholas. “Installation Art – Essence and Existence”. In What is Installation Art? An Anthology of writings on Australian Installation art, edited by Adam Geczy and Benjamin Genocchio, 25-31.

During this chapter Nicholas Zurbrugg draws upon traditional and contemporary theories of installation art. He allows the reader to understand and consider the aim of a successful installation and how it differs from other media, with reference to the origins and recent development of installation art.

Zurbrugg begins with a description of what he considers to constitute as installation art. “Artists install, inside, outside or around exhibition space” with use of three dimensions. In this way, Zurbrugg argues that installation art asserts a more “complex spatial impact” than other art forms. Zurbrugg then goes on to discuss the relative connection between the installation and the artist. He mentions that artists are usually attempting to redefine an exhibition space and therefore the “artist is their own curator” which touches on the basis for the intrigue (I believe) in installation art.

Zurbrugg then goes onto discuss the origins of installation explaining that it derives out of “futurism, Bauhaus, dada, surrealism and constructivism” also stating that “modernistic experimentation” defined the evolution and making of installation. He references several theoretical opinions, exhibitions and texts, and compares prominent avant-guard and contemporary artists such as John Cage to Duchamp which indicates the development and progression of installation since the 19th century.

Zurbrugg continues to elaborate on the interactive relationship between the viewer and the artists work. He finishes with mentioning that movement is possibly the “most rewarding type of installation” and as so the viewer mentally and physically becomes involved within the installation.

The chapter, Installation Art - Essence and Existence Zurbrugg successfully comprises a thorough explanation and investigation into the origins and theories of installation art. I found he argues many important elements in installation such as the connection between the artist and the space in which installation is constructed, as well as the connection between the audience and the installation through movement. Overall I found it a very interesting and direct review.