“Orchidelirium” explores the amorous history of the orchid. The associations are evident within the family name “Orchis” which in ancient Greek, translates as “testicle”, whilst the flower has also been a symbol of the feminine. Physiologically the flowering plant contains both male and female reproductive organs. The astonishing beauty of the flower caused a flurry of excitement during the Enlightenment where collectors scoured the globe seeking out orchids in a frenzied rush, known as orchidelirium or orchid fever.
British Poet, Botanist, Philosopher and Naturalist, Erasmus Darwin, who wrote The Temple of Nature in 1802, anthropomorphised the orchid as a female seductress. This was during a time when society broadly dismissed female sexual desire. Darwin, who was particularly smitten by orchids, wrote poetry exploring plant reproduction by describing the process of pollination as evoking a “panting bride on hymen wings”, and suggested female sexual pleasure.
Later, British Writer, Virginia Woolfe, rejects the orchid’s association with femininity and describes them as symbols of privilege. In 1915 Virginia responded to an invitation to a lavish aristocratic party that she would be able to “hide amongst the vast pyramid of orchids and peaches”, insinuating that the host had the means to acquire such living organisms.
Through such writing did the orchid instigate societal progress on female sexuality, beyond the garden, or was the orchid weaponised as a symbol of misogyny, whereby men of means collected and displayed their collections, the flowers representing the owners own virility?
Carine has photographed and hand-painted orchids reminiscent of Walt Disney’s film Fantasia (1940), and specifically “Waltz of the flowers”, where flying fairies ignite the blooms into a fizz of pure delight. She has emphasized the colour and form of the flower, the elements that prompted orchid fever during the late 19th century.
Orchidelirium is showing as part of Collective 24 for the Perth Centre for Photography at PS Gallery, Fremantle on December 6th, 2024.