Orchidaceae.DA
Still life with orchid dedicated to Michel Yang, ° New York, 5th of June 1973, † Zarlardinge, 20th of August 2020. She was an American born, Brussels-based performance artist. Her work explored notions on identity and cultural hybridity.
It is believed that the name orchid is related to "orchis", which in Greek means testicle. this is why orchids are associated with fertility, virility and sexuality. These connotations, combined with their exotic appearance, have given them a long history of being associated with love, fertility and elegance in different cultures and time periods.
By drowning (killing) the orchids Various Artists poetically wants to drown the cultivated idea of the objectification of women. The rotting and moulding of the flowers brings with it its own beauty that is not seen by the majority of society.
Orchidaceae.Da is a future video installation by Various Artists that consists of 6 video screens hanging vertically in a room in front of a black curtain (funeral style). The process of drowning the orchids was filmed by means of timelapse over a period of 4 months.
The works are dedicated to 6 women who touch us in different ways.
Orchidi (Michel), dedicated to Michel Yang.
Orchider (Angela),dedicated to Angela Kasner.
Orchidaz (Aisha), dedicated to Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow.
Orchideh (Sojourner), dedicated to Sojourner Truth.
Orchidabe (Elsa), dedicated to Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven.
OrchidaD (Lucy), dedicated to Australopithecus afarensis.
Various Artists, Orchidaceae.DA, installation view (maquette), 2021