Chapter 4: The Use of Exhibition Space to Create Meaning

The context in which you view the work is often as important as the work itself. The atmosphere can often change your opinion on the works importance as, depending on where it is, there can be numerous distractions, like if music is playing or if lots of people are there. Also the surrounding work can affect the meaning of the work; if one picture is a bright, colourful painting, it may draw attention away from a darker image you may otherwise prefer.

UPDATE, 28/9/09 :: When we went to the Tate, I looked at a lot of installation art but the one piece that stood out was 'The Pack' by Joseph Beuys. It was an old, rusting VW Bus tied to 24 sleds hanging out the back doors; each one was fully equipped with a Survival Kit. To me, this seemed like quite an important piece of work because in the large room, there was only 2 pieces there and it was in the opposite corner to 'The Pack'. This piece is mainly a concept driven one, it is quite a surreal piece and the area it is in heavily impacts it because if it weren’t in a gallery, I wouldn't consider it to be art.