Beyond Painting: Performances, Sculptures, and Rituals in 2021 that Engaged all the Senses

A confessional, hidden behind a gallery’s wall; a forest of withered white trees; a public ritual of mourning, illuminated by candlelight. In 2021, artists transcended conventional museum presentations to engage the full spectrum of senses. Instead of merely looking at paintings, visitors to exhibitions worldwide were invited to touch—and in some cases, play—the art. Odors of bygone plagues suffused gallery spaces, a ghost of the past or portent of what’s ahead. Below, a