River Reishi’s "Surface Tension" Captures Surreal Salon 18, Explores Ephemeral Worlds

Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Gallery’s annual Surreal Salon exhibition, a celebrated showcase of the uncanny and the imaginative, has once again delivered a thought-provoking collection of artworks. This year, the prestigious "Best in Show" award, selected by renowned guest juror Swoon (Caledonia Curry), was bestowed upon multidisciplinary artist River Reishi for her compelling installation, "Surface Tension." The win marks a significant recognition for Reishi, whose work delves into the liminal spaces between reality and dreams, permanence and impermanence. Juxtapoz sat down with Reishi to discuss her award-winning piece, her artistic journey, and the unique spirit of the Surreal Salon.

The Award-Winning Vision: "Surface Tension"

River Reishi’s "Surface Tension" is a captivating sculpture that immediately draws the viewer into its enigmatic narrative. The piece depicts a solitary figure, half-submerged in dark water, with hands outstretched as if breaking through to another plane of existence. This suspended moment, poised between two distinct realms, is at the heart of Reishi’s artistic inquiry.

"The piece is called ‘Surface Tension’," Reishi explains, her voice imbued with a quiet intensity. "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 artist elaborates on the profound fascination she holds for the unseen world beneath the water’s surface. From our vantage point on land, water appears smooth, transparent, and almost empty. Yet, it conceals an entire universe, a reality separate from our own. "From land, the surface of water looks smooth and transparent, almost empty. 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."

Adding another layer of intrigue, "Surface Tension" emits a faint internal glow. While this subtle illumination was somewhat subdued by the bright gallery lighting, Reishi finds a quiet beauty in this hidden surprise. "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."

The symbolic resonance of water, often associated with life, also carries with it connotations of danger and immense power. Reishi notes how this duality is particularly poignant in the context of Louisiana, a region intimately familiar with the unpredictable forces 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."

Furthermore, the ephemeral nature of the installation is a deliberate choice. The surrounding black sand is meticulously hand-drawn into intricate patterns, meaning the artwork exists in its precise form only for a fleeting period. Even the slightest disturbance can alter its appearance. "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."

The moment of recognition itself was a profound experience for Reishi. Being included in a show curated by the esteemed Swoon was an honor in itself. Witnessing the other haunting and memorable works in the exhibition further amplified this sentiment. "It was already an honor to be included in a show curated by Caledonia Curry (Swoon). 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."

A Chronology of Connection: The Surreal Salon and Swoon’s Influence

Reishi’s engagement with the Surreal Salon is not a recent development, though this year marked her first opportunity to experience it firsthand. For years, she had heard whispers of the exhibition within the vibrant pop surrealist art community. The event was often described as an unofficial prelude to the Mardi Gras season, characterized by elaborate costumes and a celebratory, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

"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," Reishi 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."

What truly captivated her this year was the deep integration of the art and the attendees. She discovered that some visitors meticulously design their costumes inspired by the very artworks on display, a testament to the exhibition’s immersive quality. "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."

A particularly poignant moment occurred when an attendee approached Reishi, adorned in a costume meticulously crafted in homage to "Surface Tension." Witnessing the individual model their creation and articulate how her sculpture had inspired the design was, for Reishi, the ultimate validation. "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!"

The presence of Swoon as the guest juror for Surreal Salon 18 added another significant layer of meaning to Reishi’s experience. Having participated as a juror in previous years, Reishi acknowledges the challenging yet fulfilling nature of the role. Swoon’s artistic trajectory has long been a source of inspiration for Reishi, particularly her groundbreaking installations and her seamless movement between sculpture, architecture, and public intervention.

"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 recalls being profoundly impacted by Swoon’s "Swimming Cities of Serenissima" project at the 2009 Venice Biennale, where a fleet of sculptural rafts sailed into the heart of a highly formalized art world space. "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 to art-making, characterized by a bold, permission-defying spirit, has deeply resonated with Reishi. "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 is also drawn to the evolution of Swoon’s recent work, particularly the Sibylant Sisters project. The emphasis on myth and storytelling in Swoon’s current endeavors aligns with Reishi’s own artistic preoccupations. "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." The opportunity to have her own installation encountered and juried by such an influential artist was 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."

Supporting Data: The Process and Materials of an Ephemeral Artist

Reishi’s artistic practice is characterized by a fluid approach to medium, with sculpture and installation emerging as her primary avenues of expression. She doesn’t confine herself to a single material, instead allowing the concept to dictate the most appropriate form. This adaptability stems, in part, from practical considerations.

"I am not sure I feel comfortable in any single medium, and I think that is probably a good thing," Reishi muses. "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."

Over time, these initial limitations evolved into integral components of her artistic language. Reishi is drawn to materials that embody fragility and transformation, qualities that allow her to explore her thematic concerns more fully. "Over time those limitations became part of the language of the work itself. I am interested in materials that hold a sense of fragility and transformation."

Installation, in particular, provides her with a powerful framework to build immersive environments where her ideas can unfold. "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."

Influences and Epiphanies: Finding Voice and Creative Spark

The concept of "voice" holds particular significance for Reishi, especially as a woman navigating the art world. She views the act of creating and asserting one’s voice in art as an act of audacity, a request for the world to listen. This perspective fuels her admiration for artists who create without seeking permission.

"Voice is an interesting concept to me as a woman, because women often face particular obstacles when it comes to the emergence of voice," Reishi states. "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, not just for its artistic merit but for the unyielding confidence it demonstrated. "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."

As for a recent artistic encounter that truly stopped her in her tracks and reignited her creative drive, Reishi points to a visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The figurative ceramics from various regions of Mexico, particularly the Mayan pieces, left her mesmerized. "As for the last artwork that made me stop in my tracks, I recently visited the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. Walking through the galleries of figurative ceramics from different regions of Mexico was completely mesmerizing. The Mayan ceramics in particular took my breath away."

She describes a particular ceramic face that resonated deeply, prompting multiple return visits. "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."

Official Responses and Future Implications: Traveling with Art

Reishi’s artistic journey is set to take her to new and inspiring locales. This summer, she will embark on a residency at Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland, a country she holds in deep affection. Her artistic endeavors in Iceland will coincide with significant celestial and cultural events. A total solar eclipse is forecast to pass directly over Reykjavik on August 12th, followed by the city’s Menningarnótt (Culture Night), a large-scale festival celebrating arts and culture.

"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 exhibition at Raf Gallery will feature a harmonious blend of sculpture and a sand installation. The installation will weave together the myth of Baltic amber’s creation with reflections on eclipse mythology and the interplay of darkness and light. The sand for this installation will be sourced from the local shoreline. A particularly poignant aspect of the exhibition is Reishi’s invitation to the community to dismantle the installation with her at its conclusion. Together, they will return the sand to the ocean, imbuing it with wishes, prayers, or intentions.

"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," Reishi explains. "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 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, particularly its volcanic beaches like Reynisfjara, have previously inspired Reishi’s use of black sand in her installations. The opportunity to create work there during such a rare celestial event feels profoundly meaningful. "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."

Regarding her preferred exhibition contexts, Reishi embraces a diverse range of spaces. Her installations have graced galleries, museums, vacant storefronts, and even city halls. However, her heart lies with the beach as the ultimate venue for her ephemeral creations. "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 creating temporary altars with friends on beaches in Washington State, using natural materials like driftwood, shells, and plants as offerings to the sea. The gentle dissipation of these creations by the tide underscored the profound beauty of impermanent collaborative art. "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 Unfolding Narrative: Highlights of the Surreal Salon Experience

The entire Surreal Salon experience was imbued with an extraordinary energy, according to Reishi. The visual spectacle of the costumes was a particular highlight, with moments of creativity unfolding in every corner of the venue. Music, conversation, artists reconnecting, and the discovery of new work all contributed to a deeply celebratory atmosphere.

"The whole evening had an incredible energy," Reishi enthuses. "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 early in the evening served as a powerful, albeit unplanned, demonstration of her work’s core tenets. As someone accidentally backed into the platform supporting her installation, the shift caused the sand to vibrate, erasing some of the intricate patterns. While Reishi was relieved that the individual was unharmed, the event unexpectedly illuminated the ephemeral nature of her piece.

"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," she recounts. "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 calmly proceeded to repair the installation, re-drawing the patterns in the sand and amber as attendees watched. This moment, she felt, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of her art. "I sat beside the piece and carefully repaired it, re-drawing the patterns into the sand and amber while people watched. 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.