A Glossary to Understand Contemporary Art Without Getting Lost
Contemporary art can be fascinating… and sometimes confusing — especially when the vocabulary sounds like a secret code.
Ever come across terms like in situ, site-specific installation, or conceptual art, without daring to ask what they mean? You're not alone.
At Manif d’art, we believe that art is for everyone — and that understanding begins with accessible language. So here’s our glossary: a bit educational, a bit playful, and completely judgment-free.
Installation
It’s not furniture.
An artwork that takes over a space — often immersive, sculptural, or multi-sensory.
💡 If you can walk around (or inside) it, it’s probably an installation.
In situ
An artwork made for a specific place.
It interacts with the site — its architecture, its history, its atmosphere.
💡 Move it, and you break the magic.
Performance
A live artistic gesture.
Often ephemeral, sometimes silent, sometimes loud. What matters is the experience — in the moment.
💡 It’s not a show. It’s an encounter.
Conceptual art
The idea takes center stage.
Here, the concept is more important than the visual outcome.
💡 You're not supposed to "like" it. You're invited to think.
mediation
The bridge between you and the artwork.
It can be a guide, a label, a workshop — anything that helps you engage with what you see.
💡 At Manif d’art, mediation is accessible, warm and jargon-free.
Multidisciplinary
When one medium isn’t enough.
Artists mix video, sound, text, sculpture, textile… everything can coexist.
💡 It’s experimentation, not indecision.
Minimalism
Less is more.
Aesthetic stripped down to the essentials. Each detail matters.
💡 The silence is part of the piece.
Public art
Art that steps out of the gallery.
Created for urban or outdoor spaces, it surprises, invites, and sometimes challenges everyday life.
💡 No ticket needed. Just open eyes.
Curator
The exhibition’s conductor.
They select the artists, build the narrative, and shape the experience.
💡 At Manif d’art, each biennial is shaped by the curator’s unique voice.
Artist residency
Time and space to create.
A chance for an artist to immerse in a place, community, or theme — and let new work emerge.
💡 It’s where ideas take root.
Behind every term, there’s a practice, a story, a perspective on the world.
This glossary won’t make you an expert — but it might open a few doors.
Because contemporary art isn’t reserved for a select few. It’s here, now, and ready to be explored — by you.
Want to see these terms come to life? Discover our upcoming events and exhibitions
