Challenging Conventions at the "Blue Moon Cocoon" Exhibition
December 05, 2025
The "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) is set to challenge the traditional boundaries of art exhibitions. Featuring the work of award-winning experimental filmmaker and multimedia artist Virginia L. Montgomery, the exhibition promises to be a multisensory experience that invites visitors to engage with the artwork in unexpected and thought-provoking ways.
Unexpected Juxtapositions
What immediately sets this exhibition apart is the inclusion of the Lovin' Spoonful, a quintessential American band from the 1960s, as part of the programming. This unexpected juxtaposition of visual art and music from a bygone era immediately signals that the "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition is not your typical gallery showcase.
"The Lovin' Spoonful, a quintessential American band from 1960s Greenwich Village, became a dominant force in pop and rock, scoring seven consecutive Top 10 hits including 'Do You Believe in Magic' and 'Summer in the City,'" according to the UAB Center for the Arts. The decision to incorporate this classic band into the exhibition's programming suggests a curatorial approach that challenges the conventional boundaries of what an art exhibition can be.
Immersive and Multisensory Experiences
Beyond the unconventional programming, the "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition will also feature Montgomery's surreal and synesthetic artworks, which blend elements of science, mysticism, and sensory experiences. As described by the artist herself, her work "unifies around a sense of cosmic awe at the interconnectedness of matter and motion, from the microscopic to the planetary."
"Orbits, circles and spheres invoke scientific principles like the Coriolis Effect — the theory that matter swirls into circular formations — unifying the work around a sense of cosmic awe at the interconnectedness of matter and motion, from the microscopic to the planetary," Montgomery explains.
The immersive nature of Montgomery's artworks, which draw inspiration from her personal experiences of hand-raising luna moths in her studio, are designed to engage visitors on a multisensory level. "VLM's surreal, synesthetic artworks unite elements of mysticism, physics and neuroscience through an idiosyncratic visual vocabulary of recursive symbols and gestures, including imagery of luna moths the artist hand-raises in her studio," according to the artist's statement.
A Holistic and Thought-Provoking Experience
By combining the unexpected programming of the Lovin' Spoonful with Montgomery's immersive and multisensory artworks, the "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition creates a truly unique and thought-provoking experience for visitors. This unconventional approach to curating an art exhibition challenges the traditional norms of what such an event should be, inviting visitors to engage with the work in a more holistic and meaningful way.
The juxtaposition of the 1960s band and Montgomery's contemporary artworks creates a sense of temporal and cultural dislocation, encouraging visitors to consider the connections and disconnections between the past and the present. The immersive nature of the artworks, with their focus on sensory experiences and cosmic themes, further amplifies this sense of contemplation and wonder.
Rather than simply presenting a traditional gallery showcase, the "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition seeks to create a multifaceted experience that invites visitors to explore the boundaries of art and their own perceptions. By blending unexpected elements with immersive and thought-provoking artworks, the exhibition promises to leave a lasting impression on all who attend.
The "Blue Moon Cocoon" exhibition will be on display at the AEIVA from January 15 through March 7, 2026, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with art in a truly unconventional and engaging way.
