assemblage

Assemblage is a term used across several disciplines to denote a collection or gathering of heterogeneous elements that are brought together to form a new whole. Its meanings vary by context, but it generally conveys the idea of loose combination rather than a single, uniform object.

In the visual arts, assemblage describes a three‑dimensional work created by assembling disparate objects, materials, and found components. This practice, associated with the mid-20th century, emphasizes material freshness and unexpected juxtapositions. Notable practitioners include Robert Rauschenberg, who used everyday objects to create inventive compositions, and Joseph Cornell, among others, expanding the field beyond traditional painting or sculpture.

In archaeology and anthropology, an assemblage refers to a collection of artifacts or ecofacts from a particular site or context. Archaeologists analyze assemblages to infer patterns of daily life, technology, trade, and cultural practices. The composition, dating, and spatial distribution of items within an assemblage help reconstruct past behaviors.

In ecology, a species assemblage denotes the set of species that co‑occur in a given habitat or environmental 조건. Studying assemblages helps researchers understand community structure, biodiversity, interactions, and responses to changes such as climate or disturbance.

In sociology and geography, assemblage theory, developed by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, treats social phenomena as dynamic networks of heterogeneous elements—bodies, practices, institutions, and discourses—that form contingent, evolving systems, rather than fixed structures. The concept has been expanded and applied to urbanism, technology, and governance.

Overall, assemblage emphasizes collection, interconnection, and emergent properties arising from the combination of diverse parts.