A short report in words and images of the festive opening of the exhibition Florilegium Amsterdam 1064 by IJda Smits, in New Metropolis Nieuw-West.
It was a rich program with an opening speech by Rosa van Rumpt, who is program coordinator at the Van Eesteren Museum. Hereafter the third book with a handmade cover was presented.
This was followed by the poetic recitations by me and Azar Tishe.
As promised during the opening, below I share the poem: Morning Orchestra 1064: Rising Harmony, which I wrote especially for and inspired by the Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.
And last but not least, IJda had a surprise for us in store, as we received a crash course in cyanotyping. Awesome! The results were diverse. Here’s my result:
Missed the opening? You can still admire the beautiful cyanotypes and the Florilegium book until July 1st. Check the website of IJda for the dates and times.
NOTE: the exhibition has been extended and the finissage on July 1st has been postponed to later in July! The exact date will soon be announced.
Above:
poetry recitation by Zatarra Rafaël
Below:
while making a cyanotype
With many thanks for the photos, which were taken by Michiel Wijnbergh.
Morning Orchestra 1064: Rising Harmony
It’s a quiet morning
Fog whisper evaporates gently
in the whooshing, ever-present
undertone of the traffic
The whistles started late this morning
a heron keeps an overview in the dawn
where the orchestra of 1064
start slowly
The first choir members make themselves heard
the percussion has also been awakened
allowing front & rear doors to sound
car doors and a single bicycle bell also participate
The wind sighs, in its deep sleep
a few twigs move silently, back and forth
Then the heron raises its baton
the thistle nods
the white clovers start gently
Ooh dear, what was that…
the doubtful knight’s spur out of tune,
the violets help everything back on track
the shepherd’s purse makes the rapeseed rustle
the ground elder adds a jazzy note
and starts to swing, together with the wild hyacinth
the wind wakes up and allows
the last dandelion fluffs to dance along
the catchweed brings everything together for a conclusion
where the windflower and the arum
close off warmly
Now the throats have been lubricated,
the stems are flexible
and everything is firmly rooted
may the loving noon lake commence
Zatarra Rafaël
From the top down:
the nodding thistle
the shepherd’s purse and
the rapeseed
the catchweed
Cyanotypes by IJda Smits
