I am totally in love with the art scene in San Antonio at the present! There is a Do it Yourself vibe and a polished art community coexisting simultaneously in the city. With galleries like The High Wire Arts, that feeling is definitely consummated. It is a commune of artists, if you will, who create both compelling and intellectually stimulating works.
The gallery is located right across the street from The Josephine Theater. There is some parking in front of the spot, but you might have to park further down and walk here. The outside facade is quite amazing. There are sculptures that surround it; a sight to behold when they are lit up at night.
Since I went there for a fundraising function they did charge a nominal entrance fee, $3.00 or by donation. But with admission they did offer catering by an Indian eatery. Inside the place was filled with all types of people to include, hipsters, burnout hippies, squatters, suit and tie types, musicians, writers, etc. White sleek walls were filled with ultra affordable art. I spotted a lady painting a complex piece, while a dog was resting a few feet away from her.
The space itself is a mix of light and darkness. For example the front part has a use of brightness, in conjunction with white walls that lends to the pieces being displayed. Along the corridors there are dark corridors hidden by shadows that have rooms where new works are being made. Other rooms in the gallery have specific areas where patrons congregate and converse. In one of the rooms a DJ, an acoustic player and a Hare Krishna avatar were utilizing the same art space. I liked the vibe of this room, with swirling lights straight out of a Andy Warhol studio. It created an esoteric, unearthly vibe.
My only critique of this gallery is the overplaying of light and darlk to the hilt. In some of the corridors it would have been nice to see a tad more light beeming. But than again each room and space had its own vision and narrative. Some of the art is mindblowing. To see the use of everyday things like leaves and teabags reimagined into canvases for dialogue was certainly not lost on me.
The High Wire Arts Gallery is the perfect spot to play to the assets of this city, which has always been art and music. It is a bit hipster but not pretentious. It has a glow of its own that gives it purpsoe and a sense of urgency. I want to go back and see the teabags with the tiniest of etchings. Maybe it is saying that we need to examine things more closely before we make an absolute judgement. Maybe it is just a teabag with intricate etchings. read more