Hopscotch Gallery in San Antonio
Bar, none of my favorite attractions in San Antonio were not The Alamo, The Missions, or even the museums. My favorite stop was a gallery in downtown San Antonio across the street from Travis Park. Hopscotch Gallery captured my imagination, proving to be both unique and provocative.
Hopscotch is a multimedia gallery with 15 exhibits from around the world.
This is a collaborative space where large-scale installations find a permanent home in a 20,000-square-foot gallery in downtown San Antonio. There is a sister location in Portland, Oregon with roughly the same number of installations.
Why was it so intriguing? Any art installation that is interactive and stimulates the senses is a great piece of artwork. “Hopscotch celebrates art for art’s sake,” says Gage Martin, Experience Manager at Hopscotch. “and lets adults play like kids again.” From trampolines to broken telephones and a psychedelic ball pit, you can play with abandon in this space.
Diodic Daydream Hopscotch
Diodic Daydream Hopscotch
If you lie quietly in the ball pit, you will find joy and zen moments as the plastic balls engulf you with color and sound.
It is the IKEA ball room experience but for adults. There are LED lights that change color and synchronized to the music.
Whether you are in the ball pit on your own (as I was) or are with a group of friends, you will enjoy being a kid again playing in Diodic Daydream.
Hey DJ Los Otros
Relax in the stunning lobby bar. They have specialty cocktails featuring Texas-based spirit companies, beer and wine. There is also an assortment of mocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages that are inspired by their exhibitions.
Secrets Wide Awake Creative
Do you have a secret? Something you have told no one? Here is the perfect time to let the burden off your shoulders while remaining 100% anonymous. With two private booths to record your secrets, you have the opportunity to unload your woes. But know, it will be loaded up on a loop to various phone lines for others to listen.
Traditional pay phones are hung on the wall and all you do is pick the phone and listen to the secrets left by others. From confessions of infidelity, to transgressions in life. Each phone as a different message. Some are funny, other poignant and still a few maybe a bit shocking but the promise of anonymity lets participants ‘tell it all’. There is even a phone for children (both at their height and for their young minds to process).
Laser Graffiti Todd Moyer
Who wouldn’t want to graffiti a wall? I know I would not do this on any public wall but Laser Graffiti by Todd Moyer lets you have the experience without any permanent damage. The cans feel just like real spray paint cans. There is a variety of colours and the music pumps you up.
Laser Graffiti Todd Moyer
The playfulness and interactive properties of this piece made it so much fun. I could not resist seeing what my name would look like as graffiti on a brick wall. There were three different ‘surfaces’ you could project your design on. I loved the effect of paint dripping down the wall. Done being creative, no problem, the assistant was happy just to wipe it all away.
The Light Portal Tricktronix
The Light Portal Tricktronix
Experiential art installations invite visitors to interact with the art piece to create their own experience.
The Light Portal by Tricktronix is a kaleidoscope of color. The screen, just inside the room, has a screen that can be manipulated so the colors you touch appear. Although the image is a swirling pattern consuming itself, you can change the sequence and colors.
RGB Carnovsky
A combination of illustrations of a cadaver and traditional wallpaper prints, there is a lot to take in with RGB by Carnovsky. Red, green and blue images are projected onto four walls. They stand alone or are layered over each other. There are outlines that don’t match up creating a 2D effect. Confusing but intriguing, it’s best to stand in the middle of the room and twril around for the best effects (watch the TikTok video to see the effect).
GAZE The Human Rights Campaign
Gaze is a maze of 3D messages on human rights, women’s rights, and diversity. Changing, both in colour and messaging, it gives pause to these powerful messages. Love is love. My Vote, My Voice. All Great messages.
Unknown Atmospheres Seth Nehil and Parallel Studio
Unknown Atmospheres by Seth Nehil and Parallel Studio is one of the largest installations at the Hopscotch Gallery. A series of light strings hanging from the ceiling in precisely measured distances from each other. You can either watch as the colors unfold or watch as people walk through the grid and interact with the lights.
Quantum Trampoline Kuflex
The playfulness and fully immersive experience of Quantum Trampoline is worth the price of admission. Entering the space in almost total darkness, your eyes will adjust as you approach the netted area. Take off your shoes and enjoy the playfulness of this unique art installation. The floor is a series of trampolines that activate the lights. Whether a feathered or wavey effect, millions of sparkly lights, or large swaths of light, you have overall control.
Rabbit Hole Sculpture Alli Koch
As you descend the stairs into the gallery space, a giant mosaic rabbit hangs from the ceiling. Shining with neon colors, it changes as you change perspective. The picture does not do the size justice as it is rather large (and ominous), and the rabbit appears to be springing down from its perch.
Perspective Gary Sweeney
Perspective Gary Sweeney
It was more of a fun house than an art piece, as perspective differed from one to the other. I was unimpressed with the exhibit, but three women had a marvelous time navigating the sloping floor and holding on to their cocktails.
I was happy to assist with picture taking and encouraging a bit of fun posing (even having them change positions according to size). It’s a great Instagram opportunity. All in all, they loved it. I did not. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
Rainbow Cave Basia Goszczynska
Turning trash into treasure, the Rainbow Cave by Basia Goszczynska takes disposable garbage bags and turns them into art. As you exit the Hopscotch gallery, you will pass through this installation. The feeling of being surrounded by a cloud comes to mind, but when you look up close, you realize it is just plastic bags. The artist’s goal is to have patrons consider the impact of plastic and its effect on the globe. The piece was constructed using 40,000 plastic bags.
FAQ Hopscotch
Visit San Antonio’s immersive art experience, Hopscotch, where you can admire light installations, optical illusions, and art pieces in one space.
- Location: Hopscotch San Antonio, 711 Navarro St. Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78205
- Tickets: $24 Adults, $20 Seniors (65+), Military, Teacher, Healthcare/CFR Tickets, $15 Children 4-15 years old – Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- Days: Closed Monday & Tuesday. 12 pm – 10 pm. Wednesday – Sunday
- Time to visit: In my opinion, no less than 90 minutes.
- Amenities: Bar and lounge available for cocktails (you can walk around with them in hand). No food is available. Elevator is available.
- Gift Shop: Unique gifts for discerning taste
- Warning: The exhibits are highly immersive; some use strong lighting effects and loud surround sound. Those sensitive to strobe, flashing light, or loud sounds should be cautious before attending.
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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.