Contemporary at Blue Star regularly hosts exhibitions which embody the cultural impact of art in San Antonio. The exhibitions currently on display are connected through the deep emotions which they invoke, regardless of how unalike they are from one another. Themes on display by Sizhu Li hold minimalist designs while the collective alternative rock exhibit called Mosh Now, Cry Later is a compilation of art inspired by San Antonio’s musical culture.

Moonment by Sizhu Li is a bleak exhibition at first glance, seeming to be nothing more than black fans blowing giant sheets of shiny aluminum across a white room. However, After viewing each installation of this exhibit for a while, the predictable patterns create an indescribable comfort. Li’s utilization of neutral colors reflect simplicity while the movements of the aluminum sheets seem to embody ocean waves, even though the only natural materials used are metal and air.

Finding A Way captures the essence of most of Li’s works on display at Contemporary. By incorporating the white noise of the fans, Li created an audible illusion which makes viewers feel as if they are hearing the rippling waves of the ocean. The sheets of aluminum endlessly go back and forth, representing the cyclic simplicity of nature. This never ending cycle is both exhausting and reassuring, reminding viewers that the patterns of the world do not depend on time or space– but only upon themselves.

In contrast to nature’s simplicity, Li’s Dividing Lines represents how mankind alters the easy flow of nature. Two fans sit on top of another large piece of aluminum, facing each other. The fans are divided by a black gate and the aluminum is only creating a wave on one side due to the division between the fans. Although both fans are pushing air, only one side has the shimmering metallic flow. Standing on the side with the moving aluminum felt refreshing, while standing on the other side felt imprisoning. Altogether, this installation was frustrating due to its immersive representation of man-made separation.

This entire exhibition was reminiscent of works by Isamu Noguchi, who was also fond of using simple, natural elements as key components of his artwork. Moonment as a whole felt like a callback to both Wind Catcher and Night Wind by Noguchi, two pieces which were meant to embody the movements of wind through the use of materials such as metal and wood. This gives the work a deeper meaning, making it more than just pieces of metal blowing in the wind.

On the opposite side of Contemporary at Blue Star, there is currently a multi-artist
exhibition called Mosh Now, Cry Later. The nature of this exhibition is less open to interpretation and more direct, as each work was inspired by alternative rock culture in San Antonio. Some of the larger installations in this exhibition transport visitors back in time while smaller artworks showcase the cultural impacts of alternative rock. Every piece in this interactive exhibit is unique, allowing visitors to lose themselves in the world of music.

The Mosh Pit! Is the most gripping installation in this exhibit, as it is composed of old concert fliers, soundproof headphones connected to MP3 players, and tiny TV’s in front of bean-bag chairs. Stepping into this interactive installation felt like coming out of a time machine. The Mosh Pit! feels similar to My Kylie Collection, an interactive australian exhibit by Kathy Temin which was on display in 2001. The Mosh Pit! goes a step further with its interactive nature, however; as it offers guests the chance to completely immerse themselves in the exhibit’s atmosphere through the medium of music. The MP3 players on the flier wall allow visitors to listen to different genres of alternative rock as they view fliers, album covers, and concert
photos. The televisions under the makeshift table play clips taken by members of the alternative rock community in San Antonio, further enhancing this immersive experience.

On the other hand, From The Depths by Angela Fox brings alternative rock culture and latino culture together. The frightening themes within this gouache painting connect the living and the dead; a common macabre theme of genres within alternative rock such as metal and punk rock. This piece takes on a maximalist style, making itself seen upon entry of the gallery room. The bright hues of red, purple, and blue bring this piece to life, although its theme may be based around death. This piece holds the same elements as works from Angela Szabo, who is also fond
of utilizing art styles of the Aztec people in her pieces. Fox and Szabo both utilize bright colors and exaggerated features to accentuate their artworks, enhancing the effects of their art. From The Depths by Fox holds much similarity to Captive in Time by Szabo, as both hold a duality which is expressed through color choice and interpretation.

Smaller artworks in this exhibition reflect the lasting impacts of alternative rock culture in San Antonio. Isolate by Kristy Perez is a piece that seems to be inspired from the ‘emo’ subculture. The muted, neutral tones of this work collide to form chaotic swirls of dark color, giving the image a cold feeling. The single eye on the page makes it look as if someone is hiding away, deciding to not be seen. This piece reminds me of artwork by Howard Teman, an artist who focuses his subjects on modern pop culture. This one specifically feels similar to Teman’s Rock and Roll Theatre in the way that viewers can’t help but focus on several aspects of the art;
because there is so much going on. Although Teman’s works are more constructed than those by Perez, works by both artists invoke the same feelings; confusion, enthrallment, and intrigue.

Both Moonment and Mosh Now, Cry Later hold important themes of life and the
progression of time. Despite their differences, both exhibitions are reminiscent of time’s impact
on society. Looking past the initial bleakness of Moonment, it is easy to see that the exhibition
represents the patterns of life in a quiet, simple way. Mosh Now, Cry Later serves as a similar
opposite to Li’s exhibition, showcasing the loud, colorful, complex ways life.

Exhibition Link: https://contemporarysa.org/exhibition/mosh-now-cry-later/