“Avant-garde,” which refers to unusual or experimental ideas, will be the theme of the 63rd Hilo Orchid Society Show and Sale, Aug. 7-9 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
“Avant-garde,” which refers to unusual or experimental ideas, will be the theme of the 63rd Hilo Orchid Society Show and Sale, Aug. 7-9 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Artist Shelby Smith is the designer of the Hilo Orchid Society’s avant-garde display, featuring orchids grown by orchid society members.
When he does a ceramic piece or drawing, Smith usually has the luxury of selecting materials, tools, and color palette before he begins. For this project Smith will build a display “canvas” without knowing what kind, color or number of orchids that members will provide until Wednesday, the day before the show opens.
“I plan to design a contemporary 360-degree sculptural piece with moving spaces into which members’ flowers can be integrated,” Smith explains. “This will allow viewers to see the display in the round, from all directions.”
Another avant-garde opportunity this year will be mini-displays, an idea brought back from the Tokyo Dome orchid show. Only 16 inches square, each is a work of art featuring a few orchids and other objects in a pleasing arrangement.
For more information, visit the Hilo Orchid Society website www.hiloorchidsociety.org.