Once upon the time, Florida was an orchid paradise. More than one hundred native species bloomed profusely around the state, weaving a colorful ecosystem. In the late 1800s, the new train line to South Florida stimulated exploitation of the landscape, leading to near extinction of many. Orchids have thus become a call for action to protect, conserve and understand our connection to the land and each other in respectfully integrated ways.

Closer Encounters: The Orchid Adventure takes you on an immersive sonic journey, exploring the famous Encyclia tampensis: The Butterfly Orchid as imagined by the composer and artphibian Juraj Kojš and the contemporary dance company Pioneer Winter Collective with a choir (Miami Children’s Chorus in February 2023 and Miami Sound Choir in May 2023). This Knight Foundation Challenge Award project aims to rediscover, reclaim and nurture our sense of intimacy and connectiveness in the post-pandemic era.

The narrator(s) (Betzaida Ferrer in February 2023; Betzaida and Dimitry Chamy in May 2023) guide us in an inter-generational sonic journey in which the orchid’s habitat, culture and botanical features are explored through music, movement, language, technologies and performance.

The experience was created for children of all ages, orchid, plant and nature aficionados, and music, dance and technology lovers to meet and participate. Before and after the performance, one gets to experience the Market of Orchid Ideas, including the Encyclia tampensis interactive installation designed by Monica Leslie Travis, Rodrigo Arcaya and Juraj Kojš, a live orchid exhibit designed by Juraj Kojš, informative tables by Coalition for Orchid Species group, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Million Orchid Project and the orchid-inspired fashion by Kawaii Universe. Encyclia tampensis seedlings are often available for purchase too!

Supported by FETA Foundation, Knight Foundation and Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Miami Beach.

• Year composed: 2023
• Instrumentation: narrator, choir, electronics, dancers
• Duration: ca. 1 hour

• May 6 & 7, 2023: with Miami Sound Choir. Laurah Merisier, artistic director. Betzaida Ferrer and Dimitry Chamy, narrators. Secret Garden, Coconut Grove, FL.
• February 12, 2023: with Miami Children’s Chorus. Liana Salinas, director. Betzaida Ferrer, narrator. Miami Beach Bandshell, FL.