Barbara Kruger is renowned for her compelling site-specific installations that extend her critique of power, identity, consumerism, and control into physical spaces, engaging directly with the public. Through her installations, Kruger transforms architectural spaces with her characteristic use of text and imagery, creating immersive environments that provoke reflection and dialogue. A prime example is her 1991 exhibition at Mary Boone Gallery in New York, which marked a significant point in her career. For this exhibition, Kruger covered all four walls of the gallery with provocative text and images, enveloping visitors in her critical commentary (The Museum of Modern Art).
Kruger's installations are not confined to the interior spaces of galleries and museums; they also extend into the public realm, integrating her critical voice into everyday life. Her approach to creating architecturally enveloping installations has been a consistent aspect of her practice. One notable project involved covering MoMA’s Marron Family Atrium with declarations about power, voyeurism, and war, illustrating how Kruger uses space to construct and contain experiences. These installations serve as a medium for Kruger to address how spaces can shape and be shaped by individuals, inviting viewers to consider the impact of visual culture on their perceptions and beliefs (The Museum of Modern Art).
In recent years, Kruger has continued to engage with site-specific work, as seen in her 2024 installation at Serpentine South. This installation is part of an exhibition titled "Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.," showcasing Kruger's ongoing exploration of themes related to identity, control, and surveillance. Through such installations, Kruger not only critiques societal norms but also challenges the traditional boundaries between art and audience, making her messages accessible and relevant to a broad public (Serpentine Galleries).
Kruger's work, with its profound engagement with the visual and textual language of mass media, places the viewer in a position of critical reflection. Her installations, characterized by the juxtaposition of image and text, provoke viewers to question their roles within the narratives of power and identity that permeate contemporary culture. Whether covering the walls of a museum or the façade of a building, Kruger's installations demand attention and contemplation, highlighting her skill in using the public space as a canvas for her critique (Studio Int'l) (Musée Magazine).