LEWISTON, Idaho – An interactive art project that encourages public contribution is currently being held at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History, located at 415 Main St. in Lewiston.
The project, called Finding A Way, is by exhibiting artist Kate Walker, an art professor at Boise State University. Her project is part of the Over the Line: A Regional Faculty Art Exhibition, which is currently at the Center.
In conjunction with the project, an open mic reading event for Finding a Way has been set for Oct. 7 at 6-8 p.m. during Beautiful Downtown Lewiston’s 11th annual ArtWalk.
Walker’s project includes a reading room visitors can enjoy and an online archive, to which the public can submit reading selections.
“We live in fraught times, facing overwhelming challenges and global crises such as climate, war, continuing pandemics and increasing social and political divisiveness,” Walker said about her project. “This space provides a reading room of books and a comfortable place to sit. Some books analyze our cultural moment, some seek hope or provide solace, while others suggest alternatives and promote future thinking. Here, viewers can browse and handle books, read and relax. Viewers can contribute to an archive of recorded readings from the provided books, or from a text of their own personal choosing. This participatory project aims to create a shared resource of books, an online archive of readings, and a space for reflection and shared imaginations.”
In encouraging others to contribute to the online archive, Walker said an individual can read a section of a book up to five minutes in duration and record it on their cell phone using (Apple) IOS Voice Memo or (Android) Voice Recorder or Notes App. Then the person should take a photo of the book cover and then text the voice recording and picture, along with their name and page numbers they recorded, to the Finding A Way cell phone number, 208-481-4646. The reading will be added to the archive shortly thereafter.
The online archive can be found here: https://m.mixcloud.com/FindingaWay.
Walker’s work usually focuses on current cultural movements and she often collaborates with students and community groups.
Anyone interested in reading at the open mic event can RSVP by emailing [email protected] with “Finding a Way” in the subject line of the email. The email should include the reader’s full name, town where they live, an email address, a phone number, and the proposed reading selection. Those interested are encouraged to RSVP by Oct. 7 at noon.
For more information on the exhibit or the Center, visit www.lcsc.edu/cah.
