Temporality of Installation Art in Public Spaces

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Decoration, Faculty of Applied Arts, Damietta University, Egypt.

2 Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Egypt.

3 Decoration Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Egypt.

Abstract

The concept of time occupies a prominent position among the problematic concepts in the metaphysics of philosophy. Temporality in installation art provides a philosophical lens to explore the interplay between public art, time, and modernity. It examines how installation art challenges traditional notions of permanence, interacts with the fluidity of time in public spaces, and shapes the viewer's experience and the artwork's meaning. However, discussions on installation art have often focused on spatial aspects, neglecting its temporal dimension, referred to as "temporality in installation art." This oversight ignores the role of time in the philosophy of installation art. The researcher argues that installation artworks often aim to reflect on and conceptually reshape time "Conceptual Time Re-Shaping", with time serving as both a governing and flexible element, not only conceptually but also aesthetically. By analyzing recent examples and discussing public time and temporality theory, the research asserts that temporality is not just a historical backdrop but an active participant in the artistic process, reflecting the fragmented and evolving nature of modern identity. The study highlights how installation art transforms public spaces into temporal landscapes, merging past and present, and invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with time and space. The researcher also presents an applied study of a temporary installation artwork that embodies the temporal specificity of the site and the transient nature of public art.

Keywords

Journal of Design Sciences and Applied Arts
Volume 6, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 259-274

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