Mark Rosenthal (b. 1945, USA)
Understanding Installation Art, 2003

In his brief survey of installation art, Rosenthal attempts to categorise the medium into enchantments, impersonations, interventions and rapprochements, which is quite helpful way to highlight different artistic strategies. However, my interest is mainly drawn to discussion about hybridisation of various media within installation practice and its porous relationship to ‘reality’. As I am currently reconsidering my practice through the framing lens, various installations – as artworks without traditional frame – are good thinking devices. They are not unlimited, there is always a way to contain them physically and conceptually, but complexity of arrangement and lack of a formal frame makes that framing blurry and interpretive, which I find interesting. Where does that lead/leave me? I am not sure yet. Thinking in progress.