skirtingomis

Skirtingomis is a term used in contemporary art criticism to describe a mode of practice that foregrounds borders, margins, and transitional zones within artworks. It emphasizes the negotiation of boundaries as an active component of meaning and experience, rather than as a mere backdrop.

The term is a neo-formation from “skirting” and a suffix chosen for its phonetic resonance; it first appeared in speculative essays and small-scale journals in the 2010s. There is no formal standard definition, and usage varies by critic.

Key features include attention to edge treatment, deliberate framing and negative space, modular or spacer elements that can be rearranged, and site-responsive installation strategies. Works often invite the viewer to move around or through edges to reveal contrasting states of perception.

Skirtingomis concepts appear across media, including sculpture, installation, and mixed-media works; it is associated with practices that blur interior vs exterior, near vs far, or absence vs presence. Critics debate whether skirtingomis identifies a distinct movement or merely a recurring motif within boundary-focused art.

See also: edge aesthetics, liminal spaces, boundary object.