Assemblage - Definition and Overview

An assemblage is an archaeological term meaning a group of different artefacts found in association with one another, that is, in the same context. Where similar assemblages are found to be consistently present within a limited time period and area, they can be said to represent a culture. Where the content of the assemblages relates only to one product, they are more correctly termed an industry.

Assemblage is also a general art term that can be used to describe many different art forms, and movements. The most prominent of these is Collage, and its close cousin Decollage. Collage as a technique was used by many different art groups since the beginning of the modern age. Including Cubism, Color Field, Constructivism, and various postmodern disciplines. An assemblage can be made of paper, fabric, photos, or in the case of much of Robert Rauschenberg's work, even three dimensional objects.