The one-channel video work ANGGREK is an invitation to view the orchid for what it is. It is an invitation to shake off the colonial gaze with its tendency to exoticize the orchid and the people who inhabit the landscape in which it grows. Simultaneously ANGGREK points to the exploitation of nature that remains hidden behind colonial images of idealized tropical landscapes. The video will be shown at the Estonian Pavilion's exhibition at Venice Biennale 2022. The exhibition is titled 'Orchidelirium: An Appetite for Abundance', curated by Corina L Apostol.
'Orchidelirium' takes as the central point the life of Emilie Saal, an Estonian scientific illustrator who traveled to the Dutch East Indies and produced drawings of orchids during the European orchid mania in the 19th century. This exhibition explores the role of Saal's drawings and other scientific endeavors in the exploitation of orchids across the world and how the colonial system and exoticism mindset allow the nature exploitation in the colonies, and the pain it inflicted that still live to the present day.
Director/Choreographer: Eko Supriyanto
Curator/Producer: Sadiah Boonstra
Dancers: Eko Supriyanto, Putri Novalita
Director of Photography: David F.P. Gesuri
Assistant: Eko Wahyudi
Costume: Erica Papuci
Directing & Site: Eko Supendi, Astri KW, R Danang Cahyo, Agil Pramudya, Dionisius WAJ, Adi Gepeng, Ayik, Pincuk Suroto
Music: Dimawan Krisnowo Adji
Editor: David FP Gesuri
In cooperation Tallinn Art Hall and Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art
Commissioned for the Estonian pavilion at 59th international Art Exhibition -
La Biennale di Venezia
Rietveld Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale
23 April — 27 November 2022
Photos and video from ANGGREK 2022
Curated and produced by Sadiah Boonstra for Culture Lab Consultancy
© Sadiah Boonstra and Eko Supriyanto
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