Time Based Art

Whenever I think of time in art I always think of Dali's Persistence of time. I love how symbolic of time this piece and the fact time is in affect, melting away, and although visually this painting has a very powerful message, Time based art can also present this but through a more contemporary medium.


The Term Time based art was first introduced by UK video art pioneer David Hall in 1972, he used to describe to identify moving image and sound work by visual artists. I then found this definition of what time based art is:

'Time based art: art works that are sequenced through time, that change as we view them, and that may be ephemeral (eg video, kinetic sculpture, performance works)'

After looking at this definition of time based art i have mainly found out it relates to multimedia art, such as films, or photography. I believe the whole idea of time based art is that the viewer can really interact with there surroundings, they can experience exactly what the artist has create through so many different ways, Installations can have a powerful affect on there viewer, they help the viewer to involve themselves with the artwork, through sound and sight. I also believe that to experience this type of art is very situational. It depends where you will witness it to have the complete effect, for example in a gallery setting.


All art is time based, it is there innately, whether or not the main concept is based on it, its still present. In my previous blog I looked at land Artists, these are all time based. There work is only there for a certain period of time time due to where it is located and the effect the environment has on it, over time the artwork will become decayed etc and the only evidence available will be photographs and films. For example, Andy Goldsworthy's work is ephemeral.


Also the spiral jetty by Robert Smithson. The whole idea that the viewer interact with this piece of artwork by working around it, or seeing it from an overview. I believe the whole idea of time based art is that the viewer can interact with an art piece, and I find that concept very interesting.