News Summary
The Knoxville Museum of Art is excited to announce the opening of ‘Electricity for All,’ an exhibition that delves into the intersection of technology and society. Running from May 16 to August 17, the exhibition features diverse artistic interpretations of electricity, exploring its dual legacy of empowerment and disruption. With participation from various artists and mediums, the exhibition invites visitors to engage in critical dialogue about the implications of technology on our lives and communities.
Knoxville – The Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) has announced the opening of a new exhibition titled “Electricity for All,” which will be on display from May 16 to August 17, 2025. This exhibition explores the complex relationship between technology, society, and the historical implications of electricity, drawing its title from a slogan used by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the 1930s.
“Electricity for All” is designed to challenge visitors’ preconceived notions about electricity and its role in our lives. Rather than featuring historic TVA photographs, the exhibition utilizes the concept of electricity as a thematic foundation for a diverse range of artistic interpretations. Curated by KMA Assistant Curator Kelsie Conley, the exhibition invites patrons to engage with contemporary questions regarding technology, data management, and societal control.
The legacy of the TVA is presented in a dual light within the exhibition; it is both a source of empowerment through the provision of electricity as well as a cause of disruption, having displaced communities and contributed to the loss of cultural heritage. The KMA is showcasing works from a variety of artists who approach the topic of electricity from different angles, highlighting both its utopian potential and dystopian realities.
Artists participating in the exhibition utilize various mediums including painting, sculpture, collage, new media, and video, with works spanning from 1969 to the present day. Roughly one-third of the pieces are drawn from KMA’s permanent collection, while the remainder includes loans from various galleries. The exhibition is structured around three primary artistic approaches: artists who envision technological progress as inherently positive, those who view technology through a dystopian lens, and artists who adopt technology as a new medium for their creative expression.
Among the notable artworks featured in “Electricity for All” are:
- Mimi Ọnụọha’s installation, which includes open and closed filing cabinets, symbolizing absent or redacted data.
- Daniel Canogar’s LED panel artwork displaying real-time data on global earthquakes, exemplifying the intersection of technology and information.
- Jered Sprecher’s pieces that intertwine light and the visual language of technology.
- Lynn Hershman Leeson’s film “Logic Paralyzes the Heart,” which presents a dialogue between a cyborg and a human being, prompting reflections on identity and technology.
- Amor Muñoz’s interactive sculpture that transforms water sounds into visual art, encouraging viewer participation and engagement.
- Alias Sime’s creation crafted entirely from circuit boards, aesthetically pleasing from a distance yet revealing its technological roots upon closer inspection.
The KMA has made the exhibition free and open to the public, aiming to foster dialogue and reflection on the implications of electricity and technology on our lives. Throughout the duration of “Electricity for All,” the museum will host related events designed to deepen the public’s engagement with the themes presented in the exhibition.
This exhibition not only showcases a range of artistic talent but also aims to provoke thought regarding the extensive influence of technology on societal dynamics, encouraging individuals to consider both the advantages and challenges posed by technological advancements.
As visitors navigate through “Electricity for All,” they will be invited to explore these critical issues through the lens of contemporary art, gaining insight into the ongoing discourse surrounding technology’s impact on modern society.
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Additional Resources
- Inside of Knoxville: Electricity for All Opens at the Knoxville Museum of Art
- Wikipedia: Electricity
- Knox TN Today: Knoxville Museum of Art Presents Electricity for All
- Google Search: Electricity for All
- WBIR: Knoxville East TN Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electricity
- Knox News: Weekend Fun in Knoxville
- Google News: Knoxville Events
- Arts Knoxville: Review KSO Concertmaster
- Google Scholar: Electricity and Art
