March 7 - June 8, 2025
From The Contemporary at Blue Star:
“In Alyssa Danna’s solo exhibition, Tantalizing Middle Part, the artist expands on her previous work of creating ethereal installations with found objects and an array of materials that blend to create singular objects that make up a larger experience. Since transitioning from traditional art spaces to working directly with plants as a landscape designer and gardener, Danna’s artistic vision has evolved to further blend art with ecology. In her new installation at the Contemporary, Danna presents a multisensory mobile that fills the gallery space. This large – scale work is created through multiple smaller mobiles crafted from natural and found objects from the artist ‘s collection, including seashells, dried bamboo, and repurposed packing materials. Live or chids float among the suspended elements while below, the artist has created a reflective pool of layered, colored resin on top of a mirror . Through this interplay of living and non – living elements, Danna delves into the concept of lifecycles. How might we extend the usefulness of materials? Can objects, like plants, be propagated to continue existing in new forms? The living orchids emphasize our world’s need for constant care and attention, while acknowledging that despite our best efforts, some things inevitably perish. The exhibition’s title reflects these themes, referencing the hair style trend of the “middle part” as a nod to cycling tren ds among younger generations who face the looming consequences of climate change. Simultaneously, the title pulls from lyrics from the Coco & Clair Clair song “Kate Spade” and the myth of Tantalus. Similarly to Danna’s work, the title serves as a playful reference, seemingly trivial but carrying deeper implications”
Reception: March 7, 2025 | 6–9 pm
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, 78204 TX
(210) 227-6960
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