Photographs and articles by A. Cemal Ekin
I have written about the Orchis exhibit opening with a lot of photographs. The photos showed the hanging prints on the walls and the visitors during my talk. In this short post, I will share the individual photographs on display for my family and friends who could not be here to see the exhibit. The …
The last couple of weeks have been a blur, and I don’t mean bokeh! But, I will write about the Orchis exhibit opening on September 15, 2022, at The RI Center for Photographic Arts and share a few pictures from the exhibit. Orchis Exhibit Main Gallery Thanks to David DeMelim’s meticulous work, the hanging of …
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 …
A couple of weekends ago, Festival Ballet Providence put on a great show, all works of Viktor Plotnikov. He choreographed three quite different ballet pieces in his narrative style, all highly enjoyable, but I am partial to Orchis. I hope you will forgive my bias! Here are some photographs with my synopses from all three …
On the 16th of March, I had a delightful opportunity to attend a truly remarkable performance coordinated by several professional artists widely ranging from photography, choreography, music composition, dance, costume design, and stage lighting, titled ‘Orchis’ and I wish to share a few words on my thoughts. As part of the program, there were three …
Last year the Festival Ballet Providence performance of Orchis delighted the audiences. Inspired by a collection of my photographs, Orchis is a unique ballet that brings together photography, dance, and music in a moving experience. This year, FBP will perform Orchis again as part of Boundless Plotnikov on March 14, 15, 16, 2014 at the …
Orchis Music Available I am delighted to learn that the gifted composer Sonya Belousova has released the score of Orchis on iTunes. Those of you who saw the ballet performance will remember the mesmerizing music, those who have not yet seen it will be enchanted and will make sure they see the upcoming performance in …
As I mentioned in my previous post, we showed a short segment of Orchis before the keynote speech on Friday and Saturday at the NECCC 2013 conference. The response to the video (despite the low resolution) was positive, and many inquired about the next performance of Orchis and asked if they could watch the video …
On the opening day of Orchis, the mayor of Providence Angel Taveras issued citations to the collaborators on the Orchis project. Due to a spelling error, mine had to be redone and I have received it recently. I want to share it with my family, friends, and readers and thank Mayor Taveras for his kind …
It has come to an end! But, with vivid memories for sure, at least for me. On all three shows, the audiences loved Orchis! Some came a second and third time to see it again. It was a fine example of great collaboration and everything fit together like a fine jigsaw puzzle. The result was …
As I was getting ready to write this post on Orchis, I learned the passing of a dear friend, an elder in our family, our beloved Melin ağabey, a gentle soul and a kind man. I dedicate this post to his memory. RIP Melin. After much rehearsals and tweaking, last night the Festival Ballet Providence …
Movement is the Essence Tomorrow is the opening night of Agon & Orchis. I will see the dress rehearsal later today. Yesterday, I took yet more photographs at the rehearsal in the FBP studios. Towards the end, I decided to record their movements rather than momentary stillness with perfect positions. The dancers love those perfect …
The Festival Ballet Providence company dancers and the artistic team has done wonders with Orchis. When I watched rehearsals a little while ago and posted some photographs, I mentioned the awkward moments, difficult to master moves, pain, and persistence of this fine group of dancers. Yesterday I watched another rehearsal, and what a difference. It …
How do they look so graceful on stage when they dance? It looks so easily done, but nothing can be farther from the truth. How to Get Ready for Stage After watching the rehearsals for Agon & Orchis, it is impossible not to renew your respect for their artistic and physical abilities. In the beginning, …
In less than a few weeks, the Festival Ballet Providence will have a special performance. They will stage a groundbreaking ballet by Balanchine in the 1950s, Agon; and a groundbreaking ballet by Victor Plotnikov in 2013, Orchis. Agon and Orchis Push the Envelope Both creations push the envelope in their unique ways. This is a …
The Orchis Story The ballet Orchis, as collaborative art among A. Cemal Ekin (photographer), Viktor Plotnikov (choreographer), Sonya Belousova (composer), Toots Zynsky and Beth Bentley (costume design), and the Festival Ballet Providence dancers, was performed on March 8-9-10, 2013 in Providence that mesmerized and enchanted the audiences. Read some comments on the Festival Ballet Providence …
A while back I wrote about a joint project with the Festival Ballet Providence inspired by a series of orchid photographs I shared with them. I am incredibly pleased to write now that Orchis will have the world premiere performance on March 8-9-10, 2013 at the Vets. Orchis Ballet from Orchid Flowers The entirely new …
