Kate Mondloch, History of Art and Architecture, and 2024–25 OHC Faculty Research Fellow.

Immersive art experiences are becoming increasingly popular, even outside of museums. This essay suggests using installation art theory to understand how viewers engage with these multisensory environments. By examining the characteristics of installation art and the types of spectatorship encouraged by commercial immersive art, a range of embodied viewer experiences is revealed. Applying installation art concepts to these projects provides insights into contemporary modes of attention and spectatorship, filling a gap in how we critically evaluate these all-encompassing art environments.