"Upside Down Land" Immersive Exhibition
The Potentialist Workshop, a multidisciplinary collaborative arts collective in Reno, together with the House of Infinite Potential will present “Upside Down Land,” a six month immersive art exhibition opening February 10. The immersive art experience incorporates the work of nearly ten local artists, including sculptors, painters, and muralists, using a mix of reclaimed, recycled and sustainable materials in order to bring to life the imaginary world of a child’s bedtime stories. “Upside Down Land, presented by the Potentialist Workshop and the House of Infinite Potential” will reside in Reno from first, then travel to Denver, Colorado, then Austin, Texas.
“Upside Down Land” takes a child and his father’s imaginary world from the dream world to the real world, highlighting the bedtime stories Reno artist and former Reno poet laureate, Pan Pantoja, crafted to his son each evening for years. Featuring the adventures of “Grump Grump” characters of the fictional “Upside Down Land,” the experience showcases more than 200 sculptures ranging from small to large that have been created for attendees to walk on, walk through or play with. Collaborating artists include Jeff Johnson, Jessi Sprocket, Colin O’Bryan, Naomi Divine, Lou Brock, Jack Ryan, Alfredo Becerra Jr., and more, who have crafted brand new elements, including underwater and cloud worlds, while also borrowing resources from Pantoja’s Art Basel exhibition from Miami Art Week in December of 2022.
The exhibition begins in what looks like a normal bedroom for a seven year old boy, but travels through a wishing well into many different landscapes. One element of the experience enables attendees to watch and play with liquid sand, which acts like water, within a realistic, life-size “sand castle.” Another creation for the exhibition, a custom-sculpted collection of mystical tree and lamp creations features a 72 character alphabet that was created specially for this experience.
Admission begins at $20 and the facility can be rented privately beginning at $800.
