# Onomatopoeic Art Exhbits Christian Marclay's 'Action' Explores the Visual Impact of Words By Christopher Magsambol | Published 2015-09-10 | Updated 2015-09-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visual-impact References: [wallpaper](http://www.wallpaper.com/art/christian-marclay-takes-action-at-aargauer-kunsthaus) & [aargauerkunsthaus.ch](http://www.aargauerkunsthaus.ch/en/exhibitions/2015/?showUid=314&cHash=24553ede482300f16db8bdcde073ee25) Christian Marclay's latest exhibit 'Action,' is an artistic exploration of the [visual impact of words](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flowchart). In creating the exhibit, Marclay played around with onomatopoeia and expanded its meaning to include sight rather than just sound. The collection consists of various paintings of particular words with art surrounding them. The collages are meant to further define the words and feature visuals for words like "splish" and "splash." In building this exhibition, Marclays transformed a [traditional Japanese house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japonisme-1) and will host events like talks, musical performances and even traditional tea ceremonies inside it. Ironically, the pieces in the exhibit itself do not feature any sound. This event contrasts Marclay's previous work which typically [stimulates all the senses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sound-of-material). Instead, Marclay wants visitors to "listen with their eyes." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Onomatopoeic Art:** Opportunity to explore the visual impact of words through onomatopoeia in art. - **Visual Language:** Exploring the use of visuals to convey meaning in language and communication. - **Multisensory Exhibitions:** Creating immersive experiences that engage multiple senses in art exhibitions. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Artists and designers can incorporate onomatopoeia to create visually impactful works. - **Museum and Gallery:** Museums and galleries can curate exhibitions that explore the use of visual language in art. - **Event and Experience:** Event organizers can create multisensory exhibitions to enhance visitor experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wonderous Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-psychoacoustic-light-ensemble.md) - [Fluid Function Art Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-flow.md) - [Multi-Sensory Sound Installtions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feel-the-sound.md) - [Immersive Audio-Visual Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/180-the-strand.md) - [Interactive Colorful Art Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-hockney-bigger-closer.md) - [Immersive Light Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/psychoacoustic-light-ensemble.md) - [Boundless Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frameless-experience.md) - [Digital Audio-Visual Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audiovisual-exhibition.md) - [Immersive Light Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spencer-finch.md)