Justin Boyd's Hydrosynthesis at cactusBARN Transforms River Sounds into Abstract Video
In San Antonio at cactusBARN, Justin Boyd is presenting "Hydrosynthesis," which includes five abstract video pieces that total around 50 minutes. These artworks are inspired by field recordings from the San Antonio River, and Boyd used old-school visualizers, including a modified Vectrex console, an LZX modular video setup, and a Radiator Laser synth to process them. As a New Media and Sculpture professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he recorded sounds from spots like Blue Star, Museum Reach, Riverwalk, and Confluence Park, often re-recording them to enhance their musical quality. The exhibition runs until May 1, 2026, and offers a nuanced view of environmental themes, reshaping the river's usual ties to tourism and pollution.
Key facts
- Justin Boyd is a professor of New Media and Sculpture at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
- The exhibition features five video works totaling about 50 minutes.
- Boyd recorded the San Antonio River at Blue Star, Museum Reach, Riverwalk, and Confluence Park.
- He used a modified Vectrex gaming console, LZX modular video system, and Radiator Laser synth as visualizers.
- The exhibition is on view at cactusBARN in San Antonio's Southtown.
- The show runs through May 1, 2026.
- Boyd often does multiple takes of the river to get the right musicality.
- One piece is described as reminiscent of Derek Jarman's film Blue.
Entities
Artists
- Justin Boyd
- Stan Brakhage
- Derek Jarman
Institutions
- cactusBARN
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- Sala Diaz
- Presa House
- Glasstire
Locations
- San Antonio
- San Antonio River
- Blue Star
- Museum Reach
- Riverwalk
- Confluence Park
- Southtown