Get surreal

Sensory overload—that’s how Jason Andreasen of Baton Rouge Gallery describes the annual Surreal Salon that returns this month. In its sixth year, the event features surrealist art of all kinds in the gallery throughout the month, culminating in an even more surreal soiree Jan. 25.

The costume party has become an event that dedicated revelers spend weeks preparing for, crafting the most outlandish costumes they can dream up.

“That one night, everybody can be in the same space and—regardless of age or economic status or whatever—we all look ridiculous,” Andreasen says. “Everyone’s in on the same joke.”

This year’s judge is Greg Escalantes, cofounder of the international art magazine Juxtapoz. Though previous winners have been featured in the magazine, this year marks the first time the winner will be profiled in an editorial in the magazine.

“[Escalantes] has put together some of the biggest shows in the surrealist movement. We’re talking about one of the premier voices in this genre of art,” Andreasen says.

While the Salon is a national competition and regularly gets out-of-state submissions, they’ve received some international submissions as well. Though they aren’t permitted into the competition, Andreasen sees this as an example of how far the event has come.

“It’s nice to see the show growing so much and garnering the attention that we hoped it would get,” he says.

• There were about 180 art submissions this year, pared down to 75 works on display. “It’s by far the biggest pool of entries we’ve ever had,” Andreasen says. “And the quality has been through the roof.”

• The exhibit will be on view Jan. 2-31. The Surreal Salon Soiree is set for Jan. 25. A costume contest is usually involved, and attendees tend to bring their A-game, so get creative.

• Providing the music this year, Debauche Russian Mafia Band is exactly what you’d expect—high-energy music mixed with lyrics you probably can’t decipher that make for an over-the-top performance to match the exhibit.

• Local arts collective Elevator Projects is participating again. Last year, they created an interactive installation on the front lawn of the gallery.

• This year’s judge, Greg Escalantes, will give two presentations during his time in Baton Rouge: Jan. 26 at BRG’s Sundays@4 free lecture series, and Jan. 27 at the LSU School of Art.

• What is surrealism? It started as an art movement in the 1920s and involves illogical, lowbrow and sometimes disturbing imagery. Salvador Dalí is one of the more famous members of the movement.

For more information, go to batonrougegallery.org.