LookingOutwards-08

Clare Katyal

Chris Barr is the director of arts and technology at Knight Foundation. This is a nonprofit that works with newspapers to support democracy and free speech. Barr is interesting because while he has a background in art, design, and new media, he also works in journalism and civic tech through his non profit work. His art reflects this multi-faceted background, as it is often of landscapes or nature, showcasing his knowledge of the natural world. In his talk for Eyeo in 2019, Chris Barr discusses the art of interactive experiences. He brings up the Muesum of Ice Cream, which is a place widely adored for the way adults get to act like children in it. It has many immersive art exhibits, such as a pit full of sprinkles. He discusses how these companies generate massive amounts of revenue just from cheaply designed exhibits. He helped create Meow Wolf, a company centered around this idea that immersive galleries can become very popular. According to their mission statement, Meow Wolf intends to “inspire creativity through art, exploration, and play so that imagination will transform our worlds”.
https://vimeo.com/354276161?embedded=false&source=vimeo_logo&owner=8053320
https://meowwolf.com/about