I created “Extended Joy” for the Nashville International Airport to advertise for the Bonnaroo music festival–an American annual four-day music festival held on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee.

“Extended Joy” is created from recycled street signs cut and layered into a cascade of flowers and symbols familiar to all Bonnaroovians. Traffic signs were ideal for this installation because they are UV-resistant, durable, and safe. They also add a touch of whimsical charm that reflects Bonnaroo’s magical atmosphere.

This design captures people’s attention from across the airport terminal as a mass of shimmering color. As travelers draw nearer, they see the familiar shapes that pay homage to the Bonnaroo music festival. Finally, at close range, they see the material for what it is–your everyday street sign.

I salvaged these signs from being melted down after they were deemed unfit for their posts because of tagging, wear and tear, and bullet holes. When left untouched, each discarded street sign seems to have reached the end of its usefulness. Yet, when these signs are brought together, they undergo a remarkable transformation into a vibrant work of art.

Similarly, when people come together, they transcend their individual roles to create something greater than themselves. That is community. That is Bonnaroo.

By repurposing discarded materials, I aim to inspire both travelers and locals to see beauty in unexpected places and to embrace the transformative power of community gatherings.