assemblage

Assemblage refers to a three-dimensional work of art comprising found elements. These works can be sculptural objects that are seen in the round, as well as pictures that are hung on walls. As dadaist collages were constructed from papers collected from daily life and pasted together, assemblages were built from everyday objects that were nailed, screwed, or otherwise fastened together. The range of objects was virtually endless; sometimes evocative of war (military medals, revolvers), the assembled objects often were mundane bits of trash trash (flotsam and jetsam, porcelain shards, furniture knobs, wire mesh).