An art intervention is a method of interacting with people, a piece of art, or a particular area. It is conceptual art that may also be performance art, depending on the ideas behind the work. The idea is that those involved “intervene” in everyday activities or beliefs using artistic expression to bring about change.
The goal of any art intervention is to encourage existing systems to change. People sometimes consider art interventions to be a way of symbolically protesting something and challenging current authority because they encourage people to leave current systems behind. These challenges can take a long time to obtain permissions and licenses, depending on what the interventionists want to do. Even if proper authority is granted, interventionists may face public opposition simply because their viewpoints differ from the norm. As a result, interventionists are frequently forced to assert their right to free expression and speech.
An interventionist usually begins identifying a problem in a specific area. A lack of awareness, hypocritical behavior in a specific arena, poor economic conditions, or even a broader, more difficult-to-define issue like closed-mindedness could be the source of the problem. After that, the interventionist brainstorms ways to make a specific statement through artistic means. A problem is not always approached in the same way two interventionists. Thus, the scope of the intervention is primarily determined the interventionist’s imagination and artistic vision, though resources and permission access may limit the interventionist’s options.
When the interventionist has decided on the precise method he will use to make his point, he gathers the resources he will require, if any. The next step is to obtain permission to use any space or resources that the interventionist does not own. Unauthorized interventions can sometimes be staged, but the legal ramifications of unauthorized interventions, such as arrest for property destruction or causing a public disturbance, are a major consideration. Finally, the interventionist plans and executes the art intervention, often enlisting the assistance of others who may or may not be paid.
As a simple example of an art intervention, imagine that an interventionist identified the destruction of forests as a pressing environmental issue. The interventionist could put together an elaborate display of plants, trees, realistic stuffed animals, and nature sounds. He might invite people to light the entire display on fire or destroy it with axes at a predetermined time, drawing attention to the fact that humans are one of the most serious threats to woodlands.
When an interventionist performs an art intervention, he pays close attention to how people respond. The interventionist can tell if his perception of a problem was correct based on the reactions of those involved. It also shows the interventionist the various arguments related to the problem being addressed, allowing the interventionist to analyze the results through a cultural lens. Furthermore, reactions provide information about the interventionist’s next steps.