River Reishi Captures the Ethereal at Surreal Salon 18, Illuminating the Liminal
Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Gallery’s annual Surreal Salon has once again proven to be a crucible for the uncanny, a vibrant celebration of the surreal in contemporary art. This year, the prestigious "Best in Show" award, selected by esteemed guest juror Swoon (Caledonia Curry), has been bestowed upon artist River Reishi for her captivating installation, Surface Tension. The win marks a significant moment for Reishi, whose work masterfully navigates the delicate boundaries between realms, a theme deeply resonant with the spirit of the Surreal Salon. This interview delves into Reishi’s artistic philosophy, the genesis of her winning piece, her profound admiration for Swoon’s curatorial vision, and her exciting upcoming projects that promise to further explore the transient and the profound.
The Genesis of Surface Tension: A Dialogue with the Liminal
River Reishi’s Surface Tension is more than just a static artwork; it is an invitation to contemplate the profound mysteries that lie just beneath the veneer of our everyday perception. The piece features a figure emerging from dark water, her hands reaching forward, poised at the precipice of breaking through into our perceived reality. This arresting image, suspended in a moment of exquisite transition, immediately draws the viewer into a contemplation of the liminal space between two distinct worlds.
"The piece shows a figure emerging from dark water, her hands reaching forward as if she is about to break through the surface and step into our world," Reishi explains. "She is half submerged, suspended in that strange moment between two realms." This deliberate choice of imagery speaks to a fascination with thresholds, with the hidden depths that lie beneath the seemingly placid surface of water. "From land, the surface of water looks smooth and transparent, almost empty," Reishi elaborates. "But of course it hides an entire world that is not ours. I have always been fascinated by that threshold. The installation tries to hold that exact moment where the two worlds meet."
The subtle yet impactful inclusion of internal illumination within the sculpture adds another layer of intrigue. While perhaps subdued under the bright gallery lights, this faint inner glow becomes a quiet surprise, a testament to the hidden energies that reside within the artwork. "The sculpture also glows faintly from within, which was a little hard to see in the bright gallery lighting but becomes visible as you approach," Reishi notes. "I like that quiet surprise. The piece looks still at first, but there is a sense that something is about to happen."
Reishi’s connection to the symbolism of water is deeply rooted, particularly in the context of Louisiana, a region intimately familiar with the dual nature of water as both a life-giver and a force of immense power and danger. "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," she observes. This regional resonance adds a palpable weight to the artwork, grounding its ethereal qualities in a tangible, lived experience.
Furthermore, the ephemeral nature of the surrounding black sand installation is a deliberate artistic choice. The sand is "loose and hand-drawn into patterns, so the installation only exists in that form for a short time. Even small vibrations change it," Reishi states. This intentional fragility underscores her interest in works that resist permanence, that embrace transformation and impermanence. "I am interested in that fragility, in works that cannot quite stay fixed."
A Surreal Encounter: The Surreal Salon Experience
Reishi’s journey to winning Best in Show at the Surreal Salon was not merely about the artwork itself, but also about the immersive and transformative experience of the event. "It was already an honor to be included in a show curated by Caledonia Curry (Swoon)," Reishi confesses. "When I arrived to install the piece and saw the other works for the first time, I remember thinking how haunting and memorable every single one was. So hearing the piece announced as Best in Show later that night felt surreal in the truest sense."
The Surreal Salon has cultivated a unique atmosphere, often described as a prelude to the vibrant Mardi Gras season in Louisiana. Reishi, having heard of its reputation for years, finally had the opportunity to experience it firsthand. "I had heard about the Surreal Salon through the pop surrealist art community for years, but this was the first time I lived close enough to attend in person," she shares. "I kept hearing that it felt a little like an unofficial kickoff to Mardi Gras season, that people came in elaborate costumes and that the whole evening had this celebratory, slightly otherworldly atmosphere."
The element that truly captivated Reishi was the active engagement of attendees with the artwork through their attire. "What I did not realize until participating this year was that some people actually design their costumes based on the artwork in the exhibition," she exclaims. "That was amazing to see." A particularly poignant moment occurred when an attendee approached Reishi in a costume directly inspired by Surface Tension. "At one point someone came up to me wearing a costume inspired by my piece, and 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 profound interaction exemplifies the Salon’s power to foster a dynamic dialogue between art and its audience, blurring the lines between observer and participant.
Swoon’s Influence: A Shared Vision of Bold Expression
The selection of Swoon as the guest juror for the 2024 Surreal Salon added a significant layer of depth and resonance to the exhibition. Reishi’s admiration for Swoon’s work is palpable, and she speaks of it with a profound respect for the artist’s pioneering spirit and her ability to transcend conventional artistic boundaries.
"I have admired Swoon’s work for a long time, especially her installations and the way she moves between sculpture, architecture, and public intervention," Reishi states. She specifically recalls Swoon’s iconic Swimming Cities of Serenissima project at the 2009 Venice Biennale. "I first heard about her in 2009 when she brought the Swimming Cities of Serenissima project to the Venice Biennale. A fleet of sculptural rafts floating into one of the most formalized spaces in the art world was such an unforgettable gesture."
This act of uninvited artistic intervention, of carving out space through sheer creative force, deeply resonated with Reishi. "The act of arriving that way, without waiting for institutional permission, became part of the artwork itself," she observes. "That kind of boldness has always stayed with me. It is difficult to break into the art world, especially in spaces where voice is carefully selected and curated. Seeing an artist carve out space for herself so creatively was incredibly inspiring."
Reishi also draws inspiration from Swoon’s more recent explorations, particularly the Sibylant Sisters project. "I also love the direction her work has been taking recently with the Sibylant Sisters project," Reishi shares. "My own work is deeply inspired by myth and storytelling, so it has been fascinating to watch her develop that world, creating her own oracle cards and building a living mythology around the work. There is something powerful about artists inventing symbolic languages that people can enter into." The opportunity for Swoon to engage with Reishi’s installation was, therefore, a deeply meaningful moment. "So having the chance to meet her and have her encounter one of my installations was a very meaningful moment for me."
The Sculptor’s Hand: Process and Materiality
River Reishi’s artistic practice is characterized by a fluid engagement with diverse mediums, with sculpture and installation often serving as the primary vehicles for her conceptual explorations. She eschews a singular comfort zone, instead embracing the inherent necessity of materials in bringing her ideas to fruition. "I am not sure I feel comfortable in any single medium, and I think that is probably a good thing," Reishi admits. "I tend to move toward whatever material feels necessary for the idea at hand."
Her approach is deeply informed by practical considerations, which have, over time, become integral to her artistic language. "In many ways my practice grew out of practical constraints. For a long time I did not have a large studio, so I had to find ways of making work that could expand into a space temporarily and then disappear again. Sand, modular sculptural elements, and ephemeral materials all emerged from that reality." These limitations have, paradoxically, become her creative strengths. "Over time those limitations became part of the language of the work itself."
Reishi is particularly drawn to materials that embody fragility and the potential for transformation. "I am drawn to materials that hold a sense of fragility and transformation." Installation, for her, provides the ideal framework to amplify these themes. "Installation allows me to build an environment around the sculpture where those ideas can unfold more fully, where the viewer is not just looking at an object but stepping into a moment or a story."
Finding Voice: Influences and Epiphanies
The concept of "voice" in art holds particular significance for Reishi, especially as a woman navigating the art world. She recognizes the inherent audacity required to express oneself artistically, to command attention and invite dialogue. "Voice is an interesting concept to me as a woman, because women often face particular obstacles when it comes to the emergence of voice," she reflects. "It takes a certain measure of audacity to say something and commit it to art. In a way you are asking the world to listen."
Her inspiration often stems from artists who embody this fearless self-expression, particularly women who create without seeking external validation. "Because of that, I am especially inspired by women who make art without asking permission." She reiterates the profound impact of Swoon’s Swimming Cities project as a prime example of this audacious spirit. "I mentioned earlier how powerful it was for me to learn about Swoon bringing her Swimming Cities project to the Venice Biennale. That gesture has always stayed with me, not only because of the work itself but because of the confidence behind it. The willingness to claim space in a world that does not always easily offer it. Moments like that remind me that voice is not only about what you say as an artist, but about allowing yourself to say it at all. That idea continues to shape the way I approach my own work."
A recent encounter that profoundly arrested Reishi and reignited her creative impulse was a visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The figurative ceramics, particularly those from Mayan culture, left an indelible mark. "As for the last artwork that made me stop in my tracks, I recently visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City," she recounts. "Walking through the galleries of figurative ceramics from different regions of Mexico was completely mesmerizing. The Mayan ceramics in particular took my breath away. There is so much spirit in them, such a sense of presence. I encountered one ceramic face that affected me deeply. I have gone back to see it several times now, and each time I leave feeling more inspired to return to sculpture." This experience underscores the enduring power of ancient artistry to connect with contemporary creative sensibilities.
Journeys and Ephemeral Altars: Future Endeavors
River Reishi’s artistic trajectory continues to ascend with exciting international projects on the horizon. This summer, she will embark on a residency at Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland, a country whose stark beauty has long inspired her. The residency coincides with a total solar eclipse passing over Reykjavik on August 12th and the city’s annual Menningarnótt (Night of the Arts) festival.
"This summer I will be working with Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland during the month of August," Reishi announces. "A total solar eclipse will pass directly over Reykjavik on August 12, and later that month the city celebrates Menningarnótt, a large citywide festival of arts and culture." Her installation for the exhibition will draw upon the rich mythology of Baltic amber and the celestial event. "Raf Gallery works with both artwork and Baltic amber jewelry, and I have always been drawn to amber as both a material and a mythological object. For the exhibition I will be installing sculpture and a sand installation that tells the myth of the birth of Baltic amber while also reflecting on eclipse mythology and the relationship between darkness and light."
The participatory aspect of her Icelandic project is particularly significant, echoing her philosophy of ephemeral art. "The sand will come from the local shoreline, and at the end of the exhibition I invite the community to dismantle the installation with me. We carry the sand back to the ocean and return it with a wish, prayer, or intention." This act of communal dissolution and return to nature embodies her ongoing exploration of impermanence and cyclical renewal. "I love Iceland deeply. The black sand I often use in my installations was inspired by the volcanic beach at Reynisfjara, so being able to create work there during such a rare celestial moment feels very meaningful."
Reishi’s preference for diverse exhibition contexts, from traditional galleries to more unconventional spaces, speaks to her adaptability and commitment to engaging with environments. "As for where I like to show my work, I enjoy many different contexts. My installations have appeared in galleries, museums, empty storefronts, and even city halls." However, her most cherished spaces for ephemeral work remain the natural world. "But my favorite place for ephemeral work is the beach." She fondly recalls past experiences creating temporary altars with found natural materials. "When I lived near the sea in Washington State, friends and I would sometimes build temporary altars from flowers, driftwood, shells, and plants as offerings to the water. The tide would slowly carry everything away. There is something very special about building something together that only exists for that one night."
The Enduring Spirit of the Surreal Salon
Reflecting on her experience at the Surreal Salon, Reishi emphasizes the palpable energy and the unexpected moments that defined the evening. "The whole evening had an incredible energy," she states. "The costumes alone were extraordinary, and everywhere you looked there was another small moment of creativity unfolding. Music, conversation, artists reconnecting, people discovering work for the first time. It felt celebratory in the best way."
An unexpected incident during the event, where her installation was accidentally bumped, led to a profound revelation about the nature of her work. "There was also an unexpected moment early in the night. Someone accidentally backed into the platform holding my installation, and when the platform shifted the sand vibrated and many of the detailed designs disappeared," Reishi recounts. While the immediate concern was for the well-being of the individual involved, the incident itself illuminated the inherent fragility of her art. "Thankfully the person who tripped was completely fine, which was the most important thing. But in a strange way the moment also revealed something essential about the work. 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’s calm response, re-drawing the patterns in the sand, became a powerful testament to her artistic philosophy. "I sat beside the piece and carefully repaired it, re-drawing the patterns into the sand and amber while people watched." This spontaneous act of repair transformed the moment into a living demonstration of her artistic principles. "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."
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. Her work invites viewers to contemplate impermanence, transformation, and the profound beauty found in transient moments.
Connect with River Reishi:
Explore more of River Reishi’s work at riverreishi.com and follow her on Instagram at @riverreishi.
