Orchis Will Rise Again

Orchis was a demigod in Greek mythology. Bacchus pulverized him and he metamorphosed into the flowers we love as orchids. Then through my photography, creative choreography, and mesmerizing music, it metamorphosed into the ballet Orchis. Now, a new metamorphosis will bring Orchis to you once more as a photography exhibit starting in September 2022. Orchis will rise again! Perhaps for the last time.

The Orchis Ballet

Some visitors of this site may already have seen the performance of the ballet Orchis almost ten years ago. The seeds of that ballet, and some of the characters on stage in live performances were photographs of dried orchid flowers I photographed back in 2004.

The name comes from Greek Mythology where a demigod Orchis attends a party at the palace of Bacchus. He angers the host by going after the palace maidens. To punish him, the angered god Bacchus pulverizes Orchis and blows its dust into the sky. Distraught from his son’s demise, his demigod father manages to bring the pieces of Orchis to life where they land in the form of lovely plants we all enjoy today as orchids.

Rising From the Same Seeds

Like the small pieces of Orchis, my original photographs of the dried orchid blossoms rose several times. The first idea was a folio I called Dance of the Orchids, named after the dynamic forms of the dried flowers. I will show a sample folio at the presentation on the opening night.

Then through some lucky coincidences, Festival Ballet Providence commissioned an original ballet inspired by my collection of photographs. I sought to find a few dancers to pose for me inspired by the photographs, and I found more than a dozen dancing in front of them on stage. That was the second rising of Orchis.

I even managed to photograph the lead dancer Mindaugas Bauzys as he posed for me inspired by some of the photographs to partially realize the original idea. You will see some of those photographs in the exhibit as well.

Orchis Will Rise Again

Now, after almost ten years, Orchis will rise again. This time he will arrive in the form of a photography exhibit at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts in Providence. Most of the main floral characters from the ballet will be on the walls along with photographs from the live performances of the ballet at the Vets.

Photography Exhibit

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 read the following fair warning.

Fair Warning

A surgical procedure I had on August 3, 2022, was aborted and will be rescheduled. I am hoping that it will not interfere with the exhibit opening plans. Both the RI Center for Photographic Arts and I will inform you of any changes. I would very much like to be with you to enjoy the photographs and their memories together. Check your e-mail and our Web sites for updates. My apologies in advance for the confusion and possible inconvenience but it was and still is totally beyond my control.

A Short Refresher

Here is a short extract from the video I created for the ballet. It was projected on a very large screen behind the graceful movements of the dancers. A little over four minutes in length, it may bring back memories if you have seen one of the performances.

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
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Please observe health precautions.