installació

Installació is a term used in Catalan to denote the act of placing something in a ready-to-use state. It spans diverse contexts but is most common in information technology and in contemporary art. Etymology traces the word to the verb instal·lar, from Latin instalare, through Romance languages, with the suffix -ció marking a noun of action. In standard Catalan orthography the formal form is instal·lació, though texts sometimes appear with installació.

In computing and technology, installació refers to the process of installing software, operating systems, drivers, or hardware components. Typical concerns include meeting prerequisites, obtaining the correct media or package, selecting an installation type, configuring options, agreeing to licenses, and completing post-install configuration. The installation aims to produce a functioning system or application with proper file placement, registry entries where applicable, and updated components. It is distinct from deployment, which covers broader distribution and ongoing maintenance.

In the arts, an installation is an art form that places objects, media, or environments within a space to alter perception or experience. Installations are often site-specific, potentially immersive or interactive, and may be temporary or permanent. Planning addresses space, safety, lighting, acoustics, audience flow, and conservation. Installation work commonly involves collaboration among artists, technicians, and institutions, and culminates in deinstallation.

Notes: The spelling varies; instal·lació is the normative Catalan form using a geminated L, while installació appears in some texts.