Sedimental journey

by Filip Vervaet

The last decades of the 20th century saw the proliferation of a tendency within the field of sculpture whereby many artists moved away from making autonomous or self-contained art-objects in favour of expansive multimedia installations. Although there are earlier instances of artists creating environments etc. it was in the nineties that a widespread adoption of installation occurred. This tendency was integral to a popularisation of contemporary art and prompted in part by the establishment of countless new institutions and biennials. While such inclinations remain prominent, recent years...