intermédia

Intermèdia is a term used in art and media studies to describe practices that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries among media such as text, image, sound, performance, and digital technologies. Rather than presenting a single medium object, an intermèdia work tends to merge or blur the distinctions between media and often foregrounds process, context, and viewer participation.

The term is associated with mid-20th century avant-garde movements, particularly Fluxus, where artists sought to move beyond fixed categories of art forms. It is commonly attributed to the idea of intermedia as a field that resists being confined to any one medium, instead exploring overlaps, hybrids, and collaborations. It is distinct from multimedia in that intermèdia emphasizes crossing boundaries and interactive or relational aspects rather than simply assembling multiple media within a single piece.

Key characteristics of intermèdia practice include hybridity, collaboration, time-based or performative elements, site-specific or relational contexts, and a focus on participation and experience. Works may manifest as performances, installations, experimental publishing, interactive environments, or other formats that defy conventional genre labels. Ephemerality and contingency are common, with emphasis placed on the conditions of presentation and audience engagement.

In contemporary contexts, intermèdia remains a useful umbrella for projects that integrate digital and physical media, cross-disciplinary collaboration, or interactive environments. It continues to influence media art, performance, and installation practices, where the emphasis is on crossing boundaries and exploring how different media can illuminate each other.