River Reishi’s "Surface Tension" Captivates Surreal Salon, Awarded Best in Show

Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Gallery’s annual Surreal Salon, a celebrated exhibition that pushes the boundaries of imaginative art, has once again illuminated the vibrancy of contemporary surrealist and pop surrealist movements. This year, the coveted Best in Show award was bestowed upon artist River Reishi for her deeply evocative installation, "Surface Tension." Juried by the internationally renowned artist Swoon (Caledonia Curry), the 18th iteration of the Surreal Salon has proven to be a particularly memorable one, showcasing a diverse array of captivating works.

River Reishi, a multidisciplinary artist whose work often delves into myth, transformation, and the liminal spaces between realms, shared her profound excitement and reflections on her win, the nature of her art, and her upcoming international endeavors. The interview, conducted shortly after the exhibition’s opening, provides an intimate glimpse into the mind of an artist whose creations resonate with both fragility and profound power.

The Genesis of "Surface Tension": A Threshold Between Worlds

Main Facts:
River Reishi’s winning piece, "Surface Tension," is a captivating sculpture and installation that depicts a figure emerging from dark water, poised on the brink of transitioning into our world. The work is characterized by its ephemeral nature, featuring loose, hand-drawn patterns of black sand that surround the central sculpture, a detail that highlights the inherent fragility and transient beauty of the piece.

Chronology of the Work’s Conception and Creation:
Reishi explained that the inspiration for "Surface Tension" stemmed from a lifelong fascination with the threshold between our perceived reality and the hidden depths of the unknown. "From land, the surface of water looks smooth and transparent, almost empty. But of course it hides an entire world that is not ours," Reishi elaborated. "I have always been fascinated by that threshold. The installation tries to hold that exact moment where the two worlds meet."

The process involved meticulously crafting the sculptural element, which subtly glows from within, a detail designed to offer a quiet surprise to approaching viewers. The surrounding black sand, described as "ephemeral," is intentionally manipulated into intricate patterns, underscoring the artist’s interest in works that resist permanence. "The black sand surrounding the sculpture is loose and hand-drawn into patterns, so the installation only exists in that form for a short time. Even small vibrations change it. I am interested in that fragility, in works that cannot quite stay fixed." This deliberate impermanence directly reflects the symbolic nature of water, a potent element often associated with life, danger, and immense power – a reality particularly resonant in the Gulf region where the exhibition was held.

Supporting Data on the Artwork’s Thematic Resonance:
The thematic underpinnings of "Surface Tension" are deeply intertwined with the artist’s personal experiences and observations. Reishi noted the symbolic duality of water: "Water is often a symbol of life, but it also carries danger and power. Louisiana and the Gulf region know that reality very well. I think some of that tension found its way into the work." This connection to the local environment adds another layer of significance to the piece, grounding its ethereal qualities in tangible realities.

A Surreal Encounter: The Surreal Salon Experience

Main Facts:
Reishi’s participation in the Surreal Salon was a long-anticipated event, amplified by the presence of guest juror Swoon, an artist whose work Reishi deeply admires. The artist described the moment of winning Best in Show as "surreal in the truest sense," particularly given the caliber of the other exhibited works.

Chronology of Reishi’s Engagement with the Surreal Salon:
Having followed the Surreal Salon for years through the pop surrealist art community, Reishi finally had the opportunity to attend in person this year, living within a closer proximity to Baton Rouge. She had heard the event described as an "unofficial kickoff to Mardi Gras season," characterized by elaborate costumes and a celebratory, otherworldly atmosphere.

Supporting Data on the Exhibition’s Unique Atmosphere:
The interactive and costumed nature of the Surreal Salon proved to be a highlight for Reishi. She was particularly amazed to witness attendees designing their costumes inspired by the exhibited artwork. "What I did not realize until participating this year was that some people actually design their costumes based on the artwork in the exhibition. That was amazing to see," she remarked. An especially poignant moment occurred when an individual approached her wearing a costume inspired by "Surface Tension." "Getting to watch him model it and explain how the sculpture influenced the design completely made my night. It felt like the work had briefly stepped out of the gallery and into the room!" This exchange exemplifies the dynamic and engaging spirit of the Surreal Salon, where art transcends the canvas and becomes a part of the lived experience.

The Influence of Swoon: A Shared Language of Boldness and Myth

Main Facts:
The selection of Swoon as the guest juror for Surreal Salon 18 held particular significance for River Reishi, whose artistic trajectory has been deeply influenced by Swoon’s bold interventions and myth-building projects.

Supporting Data on Swoon’s Artistic Impact:
Reishi expressed long-standing admiration for Swoon’s work, specifically her installations and her ability to traverse sculpture, architecture, and public art. The artist cited Swoon’s "Swimming Cities of Serenissima" project at the Venice Biennale in 2009 as a pivotal moment, describing the fleet of sculptural rafts as an "unforgettable gesture" that exemplified art created "without waiting for institutional permission." This act of claiming space and agency resonated profoundly with Reishi, especially as a woman navigating the art world. "Seeing an artist carve out space for herself so creatively was incredibly inspiring," she stated.

Furthermore, Reishi has been captivated by Swoon’s recent direction with the Sibylant Sisters project. As Reishi’s own work is "deeply inspired by myth and storytelling," she found Swoon’s development of oracle cards and the creation of a "living mythology" around her art to be "fascinating." The power of artists inventing symbolic languages that others can engage with is a concept Reishi holds dear. The opportunity for Swoon to encounter and appreciate Reishi’s installation was, therefore, a deeply meaningful experience for the award-winning artist.

The Fluidity of Mediums: Finding Home in Fragility and Transformation

Main Facts:
River Reishi’s artistic practice is characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, with a particular focus on sculpture and installation. However, she emphasizes that her comfort does not lie in a single medium but rather in the inherent qualities of the materials themselves.

Supporting Data on Reishi’s Process and Materiality:
Reishi explained that her inclination to move between mediums is driven by the demands of the idea at hand. "I am not sure I feel comfortable in any single medium, and I think that is probably a good thing," she noted. Practical constraints, such as limited studio space, initially led her to explore materials that could expand and recede, giving rise to her use of sand, modular sculptural elements, and other ephemeral materials.

Over time, these limitations have evolved into a fundamental aspect of her artistic language. She is drawn to "materials that hold a sense of fragility and transformation." Installation, in particular, allows her to construct an environment that amplifies these themes, inviting viewers to "step into a moment or a story" rather than merely observe an object. This immersive approach is central to her artistic philosophy, aiming to create experiences that are as much about the viewer’s engagement as they are about the artwork itself.

Echoes of Influence: Claiming Voice and the Power of Ancient Art

Main Facts:
Reishi identifies with artists who create "without asking permission," drawing inspiration from women who audaciously claim their voice in the art world. Her encounter with ancient Mayan ceramics in Mexico City recently reignited her passion for sculpture.

Supporting Data on Artistic Influences and Epiphanies:
The concept of "voice" is particularly significant for Reishi as a woman, acknowledging the "particular obstacles" women often face in asserting their artistic presence. She finds immense inspiration in women who create with an inherent confidence, likening the act of creating art to "asking the world to listen." Swoon’s bold gesture at the Venice Biennale remains a powerful reminder of the importance of "allowing yourself to say it at all." This foundational belief continues to shape her approach to her own artistic endeavors.

A profound recent experience that jolted her back into her studio was a visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The figurative ceramics, especially the Mayan pieces, left her "completely mesmerized." She described encountering a single ceramic face that "affected me deeply," prompting multiple returns to the museum and a renewed inspiration to return to sculpture. This anecdote highlights the enduring power of ancient art to inform and invigorate contemporary creative practices.

Charting the Future: Iceland, Celestial Events, and Ephemeral Landscapes

Main Facts:
River Reishi’s upcoming projects include an exhibition at Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland, during August, coinciding with a total solar eclipse and the city’s annual arts festival. The exhibition will feature sculptures and a sand installation exploring myth, celestial events, and the unique properties of amber.

Supporting Data on International Endeavors and Artistic Philosophy:
The Icelandic exhibition is particularly meaningful for Reishi, as the island’s volcanic beaches, like Reynisfjara, inspired her previous use of black sand. The opportunity to create work there during a "rare celestial moment" is deeply significant. The installation will weave together the myth of Baltic amber’s birth with eclipse mythology, exploring the interplay of darkness and light. A unique aspect of the project involves the community dismantling the installation at its conclusion, returning the sand to the ocean as a collective act of "wish, prayer, or intention."

Reishi embraces diverse exhibition contexts, having shown her work in galleries, museums, vacant storefronts, and civic buildings. However, she holds a special affinity for ephemeral work presented in natural settings. She reminisced about building temporary altars on beaches in Washington State, where offerings of natural materials would be reclaimed by the tide. "There is something very special about building something together that only exists for that one night," she reflected, underscoring her appreciation for fleeting artistic moments.

The Surreal Salon’s Enduring Magic: Moments of Connection and Ephemeral Truths

Main Facts:
Reishi described the Surreal Salon experience as having an "incredible energy," marked by extraordinary costumes, spontaneous creative moments, and a palpable sense of community. An unexpected incident involving her installation inadvertently highlighted the work’s core themes of impermanence and fragility.

Supporting Data on Highlights and Unforeseen Revelations:
The evening was filled with vibrant interactions, from music and conversation to artists reconnecting and new discoveries. However, an accidental collision with her installation platform, which caused the meticulously drawn sand patterns to shift, became a pivotal moment. While initially alarming, this incident served as a powerful, impromptu demonstration of the work’s inherent nature. "Some people had assumed the sand had been glued down or painted in place. When it shifted, it suddenly became clear that the entire surface was loose and hand-drawn," Reishi explained.

She then proceeded to meticulously repair the patterns, drawing the attention of onlookers. This act of repair and the subsequent witnessing of the ephemeral nature of the piece resonated deeply with her. "For me that moment captured the spirit of the work. The installation only existed in that exact form on that particular night. It could be recreated, but it would never be exactly the same again. Everyone there was witnessing something temporary, something that belonged only to that moment in time. And in a way that felt very fitting for the Surreal Salon itself." This encapsulates the profound spirit of the Surreal Salon, a space where art, community, and the ephemeral converge in unforgettable ways.

About River Reishi:
River Reishi is a multidisciplinary artist whose sculptures and ephemeral sand installations explore myth, grief, and the mysterious threshold between worlds. Drawing on feminine water deities and ancient storytelling traditions, she works with materials such as sand, amber, and light to create environments that exist only briefly in time.

See more at riverreishi.com and on Instagram @riverreishi.