River Reishi’s "Surface Tension" Captures Surreal Salon 18’s Top Honor, Explores Liminality and Ephemeral Beauty

Baton Rouge, LA – The Baton Rouge Gallery’s annual Surreal Salon exhibition, a celebrated showcase of contemporary surrealist and pop surrealist art, has once again ignited the local art scene. This year, the coveted "Best in Show" award, selected by esteemed guest juror and celebrated artist Swoon (Caledonia Curry), was bestowed upon multidisciplinary artist River Reishi for her evocative installation, Surface Tension. The win marks a significant recognition for Reishi’s profound exploration of liminal spaces, ephemeral materials, and the potent symbolism embedded within the natural world.

Juxtapoz magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Reishi following her triumphant win to delve into the genesis of Surface Tension, her artistic journey, the unique spirit of the Surreal Salon, and her exciting upcoming international projects.

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

River Reishi’s winning piece, Surface Tension, is a sculpture that immediately draws the viewer into a profound contemplation of thresholds. The work depicts a figure delicately emerging from a dark, ambiguous body of water. Her hands reach forward, poised on the precipice of breaking the surface, poised to transition from an unseen realm into our tangible reality. She is caught in that pregnant, suspended moment between two distinct worlds, a state of being that Reishi has long found captivating.

"From land, the surface of water looks smooth and transparent, almost empty," Reishi explained. "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 sculpture itself emanates a subtle internal glow, a detail that might be easily overlooked in the bright gallery lighting but reveals itself as one draws closer, offering a quiet, unexpected surprise. This duality, the initial stillness juxtaposed with the imminent emergence, speaks to the complex nature of water itself.

"Water is often a symbol of life, but it also carries danger and power," Reishi observed, her words resonating with the unique geographical context of Louisiana and the Gulf region. "Louisiana and the Gulf region know that reality very well. I think some of that tension found its way into the work."

Adding another layer of conceptual depth, the black sand surrounding the sculpture is not static. It is intentionally loose, hand-drawn into intricate patterns that possess a fleeting existence. The installation, therefore, exists in its specific form only for a limited duration, susceptible to the slightest vibration, which can alter its meticulously crafted landscape. This inherent fragility is a deliberate choice, a reflection of Reishi’s artistic philosophy.

"I am interested in that fragility, in works that cannot quite stay fixed," she stated.

The honor of being included in a show curated by Swoon was significant for Reishi. Upon arriving to install her piece and witnessing the other captivating works, she recalled a feeling of profound awe. "I remember thinking how haunting and memorable every single one was," she shared. "So hearing the piece announced as Best in Show later that night felt surreal in the truest sense."

A Legacy of the Unseen: Surreal Salon’s Enduring Allure

Reishi’s engagement with the Surreal Salon is not a fleeting one; she had been a keen observer of its evolving legacy for years. "I had heard about the Surreal Salon through the pop surrealist art community for years," she recounted, "but this was the first time I lived close enough to attend in person."

The exhibition has cultivated a reputation for its vibrant, almost theatrical atmosphere, often described as an unofficial prelude to the Mardi Gras season. This reputation is built on the tradition of attendees arriving in elaborate, often handmade costumes, transforming the gallery into a living tableau of surreal creativity.

"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," Reishi said.

What truly surprised and delighted her, however, was the extent to which this artistic engagement permeated the event. "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 marveled. "That was amazing to see."

The personal connection deepened when a fellow attendee approached her, adorned in a costume meticulously 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," Reishi enthused. "It felt like the work had briefly stepped out of the gallery and into the room!" This reciprocal creative energy is a testament to the Salon’s unique ability to foster a dynamic dialogue between artist, artwork, and audience.

Swoon’s Influence: A Juror’s Vision and Artistic Resonance

The presence of Swoon as the guest juror for Surreal Salon 18 added an extra layer of significance to the event. Reishi’s admiration for Swoon’s work is long-standing and deeply rooted. "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.

Her first encounter with Swoon’s groundbreaking work was in 2009, when Swoon’s "Swimming Cities of Serenissima" project, a fleet of sculptural rafts, sailed into the Venice Biennale. This audacious act of bringing art into a highly formalized space without prior institutional sanction left an indelible mark on 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," Reishi reflected. "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 more recent "Sibylant Sisters" project, which delves into myth and storytelling. This resonates deeply with Reishi’s own artistic practice. "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," Reishi noted. "There is something powerful about artists inventing symbolic languages that people can enter into."

The opportunity for Swoon to engage with and juror Reishi’s installation was a deeply meaningful moment for the artist. "So having the chance to meet her and have her encounter one of my installations was a very meaningful moment for me," Reishi shared.

The Fluidity of Creation: Sculpture, Installation, and Ephemeral Materials

Reishi’s artistic practice is characterized by its multidisciplinary nature, with sculpture and installation often serving as focal points. However, she resists confinement to any single medium. "I am not sure I feel comfortable in any single medium, and I think that is probably a good thing," she admitted. "I tend to move toward whatever material feels necessary for the idea at hand."

Her approach to materials is often born from practical considerations that have evolved into an integral part of her artistic language. "In many ways my practice grew out of practical constraints," Reishi explained. "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 become foundational to her aesthetic. "Over time those limitations became part of the language of the work itself," she stated. "I am drawn to materials that hold a sense of fragility and transformation."

Installation, for Reishi, offers a powerful means of immersing the viewer in her thematic explorations. "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 the Power of the Past

The concept of artistic "voice" is one that Reishi approaches with particular nuance, 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."

This perspective fuels her admiration for artists who exhibit unwavering confidence and self-possession. "Because of that, I am especially inspired by women who make art without asking permission." She reiterated the profound impact of Swoon’s "Swimming Cities" project, not just for its artistic merit but for the underlying boldness. "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."

When asked about the last artwork that truly stopped her in her tracks and spurred her creative drive, Reishi pointed to a recent visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The figurative ceramics from various regions of Mexico, particularly the Mayan examples, left her spellbound.

"Walking through the galleries of figurative ceramics from different regions of Mexico was completely mesmerizing," she described. "The Mayan ceramics in particular took my breath away. There is so much spirit in them, such a sense of presence." She recalled a specific ceramic face that resonated deeply, a piece she has revisited multiple times, each visit fueling her desire to return to sculpture. "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."

Charting a Course: International Endeavors and Ephemeral Dialogues

Looking ahead, Reishi’s artistic journey is set to take her to new and inspiring landscapes. This summer, she will be undertaking a residency at Raf Gallery in Reykjavik, Iceland, during August. This timing is particularly auspicious, coinciding with a total solar eclipse passing directly over Reykjavik on August 12th, and later in the month, the city’s Menningarnótt festival, a large-scale celebration of arts and culture.

"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 explained. Her exhibition will feature sculptures and a sand installation that will weave together the myth of Baltic amber’s creation with an exploration of eclipse mythology and the interplay of darkness and light.

The sand for this installation will be sourced from the local shoreline, and in a poignant act of communal engagement, Reishi intends to invite the local community to dismantle the installation with her at the exhibition’s close. "We carry the sand back to the ocean and return it with a wish, prayer, or intention," she said, highlighting the cyclical nature of her work and its connection to natural processes.

Iceland holds a special significance for Reishi, having been a source of inspiration for the volcanic beaches that often feature in her installations. "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 venues, Reishi embraces a diverse range of contexts. "I enjoy many different contexts," she stated. "My installations have appeared in galleries, museums, empty storefronts, and even city halls." However, her heart lies with the ephemeral beauty of natural settings. "But my favorite place for ephemeral work is the beach."

She recalled 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 tide would slowly carry everything away. There is something very special about building something together that only exists for that one night."

The Unfolding Moment: Surreal Salon’s Lasting Impression

Reishi’s experience at the Surreal Salon 18 was marked by an overwhelming sense of positive energy and creative synergy. "The whole evening had an incredible energy," she enthused. "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 evening served to further illuminate the core tenets of her work. Early on, a minor accident occurred when someone inadvertently bumped into the platform supporting her installation. The resulting vibration caused the meticulously drawn sand patterns to shift and disappear.

"Thankfully the person who tripped was completely fine, which was the most important thing," Reishi emphasized. "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 then proceeded to repair the installation, meticulously re-drawing the patterns in the sand and amber as onlookers watched. This act of careful restoration underscored the ephemeral nature of her art. "For me that moment captured the spirit of the work," she reflected. "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.