River Reishi’s "Surface Tension" Captivates Surreal Salon, Earns Top Honors
Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Gallery’s annual Surreal Salon exhibition, a vibrant cornerstone of the contemporary art scene, has once again illuminated the boundless creativity of artists pushing the boundaries of imagination. This year, the esteemed honor of Best in Show was bestowed upon multidisciplinary artist River Reishi for her evocative installation, "Surface Tension." Selected by guest juror and renowned artist Swoon (Caledonia Curry), Reishi’s piece resonated deeply with its profound exploration of liminal spaces, fragility, and the inherent power of the ephemeral.
The award marks a significant achievement for Reishi, whose work consistently delves into myth, transformation, and the unseen worlds that lie just beyond our perception. In an exclusive interview following her win, Reishi shared insights into the genesis of "Surface Tension," her artistic process, her admiration for Swoon’s curatorial vision, and her upcoming international endeavors. The Surreal Salon, now in its 18th iteration, continues to be a vital platform for artists who embrace the uncanny, the dreamlike, and the deeply personal.
The Genesis of "Surface Tension": A Glimpse into the Between
River Reishi’s award-winning piece, "Surface Tension," is a multi-sensory installation that draws the viewer into a moment of profound transition. The central element depicts a figure partially submerged in dark water, her hands reaching forward, poised on the cusp of emergence. This delicate suspension between two realms – the known and the unknown, the visible and the hidden – forms the core of the artwork’s narrative.
"The piece is called ‘Surface Tension’," Reishi explained. "It 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. She is half submerged, suspended in that strange moment between two realms."
The surrounding environment is meticulously crafted to enhance this sense of liminality. An ephemeral field of black sand, hand-drawn into intricate patterns, cradles the sculpture. Amber accents are woven into the composition, adding a subtle glow and symbolic depth. This deliberate use of fragile, shifting materials underscores Reishi’s fascination with impermanence.
"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 mused. "I have always been fascinated by that threshold. The installation tries to hold that exact moment where the two worlds meet."
The subtle internal illumination of the sculpture, though sometimes challenging to perceive in bright gallery lighting, offers a quiet surprise, hinting at an inner luminescence and the potential for revelation. This interplay of stillness and impending action is a hallmark of Reishi’s work.
"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. I like that quiet surprise. The piece looks still at first, but there is a sense that something is about to happen."
Reishi further contextualizes the symbolism of water, a potent element in her artistic vocabulary, within the specific environment of Louisiana. "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."
The ephemeral nature of the sand installation is not an accident but a deliberate choice, reflecting Reishi’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."
A Surreal Encounter: The Surreal Salon Experience
Reishi’s journey to winning Best in Show at the Surreal Salon was itself a deeply resonant experience, amplified by the presence of guest juror Swoon. The artist expressed profound honor at being included in a show curated by such an influential figure.
"It was already an honor to be included in a show curated by Caledonia Curry (Swoon)," Reishi stated. "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 itself holds a special place in the pop surrealist art community, often described as a vibrant prelude to Mardi Gras season, characterized by elaborate costumes and an otherworldly atmosphere. Reishi, who had heard about the event for years but was only able to attend in person for the first time this year due to proximity, was captivated by its unique energy.
"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 shared. "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."
A particularly memorable aspect for Reishi was the active participation of attendees in embodying the spirit of the exhibition 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. That was amazing to see. 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!"
Swoon’s Influence: A Dialogue of Boldness and Myth
The selection of Swoon as the guest juror for Surreal Salon XVIII added a significant layer of depth to the exhibition. Reishi expressed long-standing admiration for Swoon’s groundbreaking work, particularly her ability to transcend traditional 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 stated. "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."
Swoon’s approach, characterized by a willingness to engage directly with public spaces and challenge institutional norms, deeply resonates with Reishi’s own artistic ethos. "The act of arriving that way, without waiting for institutional permission, became part of the artwork itself. 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 highlighted Swoon’s recent work with the Sibylant Sisters project as a particular point of inspiration, given her own deep engagement with myth and storytelling. "I also love the direction her work has been taking recently with the Sibylant Sisters project. 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. So having the chance to meet her and have her encounter one of my installations was a very meaningful moment for me."
The Alchemy of Materials: Embracing Fragility and Transformation
River Reishi’s artistic practice is characterized by a fluid engagement with diverse mediums, with sculpture and installation emerging as primary modes of expression. This deliberate lack of confinement to a single medium stems from a deeply rooted belief in allowing the idea to dictate the material.
"I am not sure I feel comfortable in any single medium, and I think that is probably a good thing," Reishi confessed. "I tend to move toward whatever material feels necessary for the idea at hand. 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 initial limitations have, over time, become integral to the conceptual framework of her work. "Over time those limitations became part of the language of the work itself. I am drawn to materials that hold a sense of fragility and transformation."
Installation, for Reishi, is not merely a method of display but a means of constructing immersive experiences. "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."
Echoes of Inspiration: Finding Voice and Sparking Creation
The journey of developing an artistic voice is often shaped by a confluence of influences, both past and present. For Reishi, the concept of "voice" is particularly significant, especially as a woman navigating the art world.
"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 observed. "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. 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 fearless self-assertion. "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 experience that profoundly moved Reishi and reignited her creative fire was a visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The figurative ceramics from various regions of Mexico, particularly the Mayan pieces, left an indelible impression.
"As for the last artwork that made me stop in my tracks, I recently visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City," Reishi recounted. "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."
A Global Canvas: Upcoming Projects and Ephemeral Art
Looking ahead, River Reishi is set to embark on an exciting international residency that promises to be a significant chapter in her artistic exploration. This summer, she will be working with Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland, a location deeply connected to her artistic inspiration.
"This summer I will be working with Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland during the month of August," Reishi announced. "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 project in Iceland will intertwine the themes of celestial events with the mythology of Baltic amber, a material she has long admired. "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."
True to her practice, the installation will involve community participation and a ritualistic dismantling. "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."
Iceland’s dramatic landscapes have already served as a muse for Reishi, with the volcanic beaches of Reynisfjara inspiring her use of black sand. "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."
When discussing her preferred exhibition contexts, Reishi embraces a broad spectrum, from traditional galleries to more unconventional spaces. However, her heart lies with the natural world for her ephemeral works. "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. But my favorite place for ephemeral work is the beach."
She fondly recalls past experiences of creating temporary altars on beaches, a practice that emphasizes shared creation and the beauty of impermanence. "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."
Highlights and Ephemeral Moments: The Spirit of the Salon
The Surreal Salon experience, for River Reishi, was a tapestry of vibrant moments, but a particular instance of accidental interaction with her installation underscored the very essence of her work.
"The whole evening had an incredible energy," Reishi reflected. "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 event early in the evening involved someone accidentally bumping into the platform supporting her installation. This seemingly minor incident caused the sand to vibrate and disrupt the meticulously drawn patterns. While the immediate concern was for the individual’s well-being, the incident offered a powerful, tangible demonstration of the artwork’s inherent fragility.
"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. 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. I sat beside the piece and carefully repaired it, re-drawing the patterns into the sand and amber while people watched."
This spontaneous interaction, Reishi explains, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of her art and, in a way, the spirit of the Surreal Salon itself. "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."
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.
