Art Term

Interactive art

Interactive art describes art that relies on the participation of a spectator

Interactive art emerged in the late 1950s in parallel with artists’ desires to find less alienating and exclusive environments in which to show art. As the street, the warehouse or the shop front became their choice of venue, the art also became more participatory and inclusive.

Artists designed sculptures that could be touched and played with. Niki de Saint Phalle built the monumental walk-in sculpture Golem in Rabinovich Park, Jerusalem, which has a children’s slide. In 1971 Gordon Matta-Clark cooked a pig under Brooklyn Bridge and served 500 pork sandwiches as part of the performance.

Interactive art is also computer based, with the participant responding to the technology set up by the artist like the public artworks of Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Interactive art is also associated with relational aesthetics.

selected artists in the collection

selected artworks in the collection

interactive art at tate

  • Tate Liverpool + RIBA North
    Exhibition

    Everybody Razzle Dazzle

    6 Apr 2017 – 31 Jan 2021

    Take a ride on a ‘dazzling’ new artwork by the Godfather of British pop art

  • Tate Modern
    Exhibition

    Juan Downey

    23–26 Oct 2012

    Juan Downey live performance as part of The Tanks festival at Tate Modern. 23 – 26 October 2012

  • Tate Modern
    Exhibition

    Robert Morris: Bodyspacemotionthings

    22 May – 14 Jun 2009

    Robert Morris: Bodyspacemotionthings interactive installation at Tate Modern 22 May to 14 June 2009.

  • Tate Modern
    Exhibition

    Street Art

    23 May – 25 Aug 2008

    Street Art past exhibition at Tate Modern

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