
Orchis was truly a multi-disciplinary art presentation on stage. It all started with my photographs, then choreography, music, costume, and stage design added their art. The ballet Orchis offered deep enjoyment to many who saw one of the performances.
This post serves as an invitation to see the exhibit, attend the opening reception, and express my sincere thanks to all those who took part in creating the ballet Orchis.
Read on, and you will even see some photographs of the Team Orchis below!
The Exhibit
A final reminder of the Orchis photography exhibit. Hope to see you on September 15, 2022.
In the upcoming exhibit, I will display the photographs that gave birth to the ballet along with some from the stage. At the opening reception on September 15, 2022, I will talk about the birth of this collaborative work and share artifacts and stories that will shed more light on the story and success of Orchis. The RI Center for Photographic Arts has also published an article on the exhibit if you want to take a peek. The following articles have more photographs and the full exhibit collection.

Here is what Viktor Plotnikov said about the Orchis experience
In a recent e-mail he wrote to me, Viktor shared his memories of Orchis.
Orchis was a beautiful project to work on.
Starting with the introduction of your art work to me by Misha; one morning, I walked into his office, and he was excited and smiley. I was busy in my head with the upcoming rehearsal and was reluctant. But he said, “take a minute and look at these photos, may be you will want to put it in motion.” I did!
I loved them. Beautiful photos of faded orchids with different exposures and effects from different angles greeted me. They carried so much movement, and actually dance – balletic lines, plus soft and somewhat difficult curves. I already knew then, I would experiment with dancers trying to replicate some of the orchids lines and positions.
Collaboration was great and exiting!
I loved the time when you and I worked on the slide show for this ballet and got it into an awesome moving element on screen. Sonia’s beautiful as ever music depicted moods and seemed played right into dancers bodies and legs.
Innovation on the costumes by Toots, and Alan Pickart’s installation, all the elements of really inspiring art production came together.
Thank you all for the opportunity.
All my best,
Viktor
The Opening Reception
I hope you can make it to the opening reception on September 15, 2022, 5 PM – 8 PM, where you will get a chance to watch a video of one of the performances of Orchis at the Vets. The exhibit will be on display until October 14, 2022. Come, join us on September 15, starting at 5 PM.
Please observe health precautions
Orchis
September 15 – October 14, 2022
RI Center of Photographic Arts
118 North Main Street, 2nd floor
Providence, RI 02903
(No elevator or handicapped access, 21 steps)
Hours of Operation
Thu, Fri, Sat: Noon – 6:00 PM
Or by appointment
For appointments or other inquiries
401-400-2542
[email protected]
Bound Folios of Orchis
There are two sizes of Orchis collection bound folios. One is 12″ x 12″ printed on heavier paper and the other is 8.25″ x 11.75″ and printed on regular paper. They both contain 34 pages of photographs and some text. A limited number of each will be available at the opening reception, priced the same but with no shipping charges.
Orchis 3rd Edition, 12″ x 12″
12″ x 12″, 34 pages. Wire-O binding
Collection of photographs that inspired the ballet, Orchis. The photographs will be in an exhibit from September 2022 – October 2022. ($25.oo plus shipping)
Orchis 3rd Edition, 8.75″ x 11.75″
8.25″ x 11.75″, 34 pages. Perfect binding
Collection of photographs that inspired the ballet, Orchis. The photographs will be in an exhibit from September 2022 – October 2022. ($17.50 plus shipping.)
My Sincere Thanks
I would like to thank all the people for joining my original seed idea and my collection of photographs to make Orchis a reality. Starting with the primary collaborators and then all the dancers who brought the flowers to life on stage:
Mihailo Djuric, Festival Ballet Providence Artistic Director (retired)
Viktor Plotnikov, Choreographer
Sonya Belousova, Composer
Toots Zynsky & Beth Bentley, Costume Design
Alan Pickart, Stage DesignAll the dancers
Vilia Putrius
Ruth Whitney
Elizabeth Mochizuki
Kirsten Evans
Louisa Chapman Mejeur
Eugenia Zinovieva
Casey DolsonMindaugas Bauzys
Ilya Burov
Dylan Giles
Alex Lantz
Harunaga Yamakawa-Moser
Here are a few photographs to remind us of the exciting performances of Orchis. Please click on the photographs to see them larger along with the names of the participants. I hope some of them can attend the opening.
Click on the images to see them larger, uncropped, and read their titles.



See you on September 15, 2022, at the opening reception between 5 PM to 8 PM.
Larry Dunn
Cemal, Thank you for the email and invite to the Opening reception. My wife and I are planning on attending the Gala.
A. Cemal Ekin
Very glad to hear that, Larry, and good to hear from you. See you at the reception.
Cemal