The Contemporary at Blue Star will feature “Mosh Now, Cry Later,” an art installation reflecting interwoven San Antonio and punk identities, until June 8. The exhibit displays pieces from several artists as well as the local record shop, Brainwave Records.
“Mosh Now, Cry Later” presents the scrappiness, yearning and belonging of the San Antonio punk scene, with pieces emulating self-hatred and conflict. Many of the sculptures infuse punkness with aspects of rasquachismo, displaying the Mexican roots of San Antonio and demonstrating the nuance of punk in the Countdown City.
Photos, MP3 players, vinyl and printouts associated with punk culture line the back wall. Brainwave’s amalgam of content demonstrates the immensity of a culture that some may not immediately associate with San Antonio. This interactive installation is not a modern community. The collective forms through human connection. Mimicking a pit, the piece invites audiences to sit on black bean bags and listen to the music while reading books about punk’s history and absorbing the assortment of generation-spanning punk memorabilia. Brainwave Records’ installation offers a chance to disconnect, which is at the heart of San Antonio’s punk scene.
The second room features several works by Justo Cisneros, Nick Hay and Anthony Rundblade. Rundblade’s “Star eyes (Guantes)” inverts a heart outlined by fingers of stone hands hanging from chains. Upon the chains is a found image of a man with magnets on his eyes; he looks to the right. The hanging nature of emotion and gazing off to the side invokes imagery of Christ’s crucifixion. The sculpture attempts to emit love, but its heavy nature prevents such action and creates crudeness.
To the right of Rundblade’s piece, Nick Hay’s “Dead Nick (self portrait)” furthers the exhibit’s rasquachismo themes. The piece utilizes everyday objects to conduct and insulate electricity, such as clay and an Altoids tin. “Dead Nick” requires the audience to push a button; the skull’s eyes illuminate, and a pencil begins spinning in a sharpener. Shavings slowly build up on the piece and the floor below, mimicking the excessive pressure of perfection that punk culture revolts against. The piece is messy and aligns well with punk communities’ attempts to remove labels and expectations for its members.
“Harmonic Gutter” by Justo Cisneros fills the room with a storm’s thunderous noise. Two contrasting chairs face away from each other. A volcano sits in the outer corner of the stage. The setup manipulates asymmetry to create a gloomy setup akin to the red-curtained room in David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” The piece remains mundane for the time being, but on April 17, a performance starring contemporary dancers Taryn Lavery and Ty Graynor will ensue on the stage at 6:30 p.m.
“Mosh now, Cry Later” reiterates the importance of art during devastating times. The pain and trepidation will endure, but for the moment, the blaring music singing of hope and the joy of a community masks them.
This exhibit will be on display until June 8 at The Contemporary at Blue Star located 17 miles south of UTSA Main Campus at 117 Blue Star. The installation is open to the public free of charge on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out the exhibit and avoid the overwhelming nature of reality for an hour.
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