The Artist Mapping Knoxville’s Art Scene With Wood and Wire
Three years ago, Lauren Farkas sketched a plan to see exhibitions during the city’s monthly art walk. Now, she crafts eclectic maps for each event to make the art scene more accessible.
Knoxville, Tennessee is a city with a thriving art scene, featuring numerous exhibitions and events each month. Artist Lauren Farkas helps navigate the city's art offerings through her unique maps. Farkas, a high school art teacher and long-time Knoxville resident, uses various artistic materials to create maps that capture the city's art scene. These maps provide a structured overview of the city's art offerings, helping visitors feel more confident exploring the various venues and exhibitions.
Farkas emphasizes that her maps serve as invitations for those who may not feel welcome in the city's art spaces, encouraging them to engage with the art scene. Her maps have already transformed the First Friday experience, flattening the boundaries between different art venues and emphasizing the interconnectedness of Knoxville's art community.
Art curator Kelsie Conley praises the maps for their ability to slow people down and change the way they experience the city, shifting the focus from a fixed collection of destinations to a more immersive experience.
Farkas's artistic process involves experimenting with various materials, from watercolors and tape to wood ash and LED circuits. Her maps are not just tools for navigation, but also works of art in their own right, reflecting the city's art scene in innovative and thought-provoking ways.
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