Uncovered ~ The Story Behind The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Grand Floral Urns

 

Even before I was a Member, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art  frequently.  Some might say with abandon…

If I was looking for inspiration while writing or if a new show premiered, or I just had to see the rooftop exhibits with their extraordinary installations and that heart-stopping vista of Central Park and beyond, why, I could hop on a subway near our home at Union Square and be at the Museum in about 10 minutes; transported to other worlds…

And I always, always was enticed by the magnificent, grand urns in the museum’s lobby and their breathtaking floral displays.  

I took their photos every single visit. It was a mystery to me that their beguiling looks were always changing, too.  

But it wasn’t until just the other day that I learned of their origin story. 

Orchid Show Returns to NYBG in the Bold and Colorful Vision of Famed Floral Designer Jeff Leatham

                                           

You can’t help but feel it. Spring is pulsing. Broadway is back. And in the world of gardens ~ the slowest of the performing arts ~ there is a return engagement as well.  

I received word the other day from The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) that its popular orchid exhibition returns with “The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope, from February 26 through May 1. 

Clearly, the orchids are the heartstopping stars of this show. And yet it cannot be denied that the irrepressible lifestyle icon and floral designer to the stars, Jeff Leatham, shares marquee status. This is a man who so loves orchids that he literally wears that love, well, not on his sleeve, but his leg! The Vanda, his favorite orchid, is tattooed there. Jeff is reprising his role because the 2020 Orchid Show he designed was cut short due to the COVID pandemic. I was fortunate to review the original Kaleidoscope so you’re in for a treat preview here. 

Garden Art & Antiques Fair VIP Preview at The New York Botanical Garden

                                         
Last evening was the annual Garden Art & Antiques Fair at The New York Botanical Garden VIP Preview Party, Collectors’ Plant Sale, and Silent Auction.



There are 30 exhibitors offering one-of-a-kind, unique garden ornaments and furniture.

The Fair is tucked into a tent opposite the Enid A Haupt Conservatory; the walk in between was filled with soft jazz music serenading arriving guests and the rare and beautifully grown garden plants hand-selected by NYBG’s horticultural team.

Expectations were high. Last year, one of my favorite garden design client’s purchased - dare I say, snagged -- the most charming statues on pedestals of the Four Seasons - rendered as children; purchased from Milne’s At Home Antiques. Milne offers extraordinary quality and value for their wares - many of them sourced from Kent and Essex in England.

My plus-one was celebrated photo essayist and storyteller Angie Lambert (be sure to check out her cover on Bella Grace magazine, available June 1). 

Photo narrator Angie Lambert chatting with fellow Ohian / antique dealer 

In years past, the tent was cool inside yet warmed by garden bonhomie, refreshments, and “fevered” purchasing.

This year was no different except that it was very, very hot - given the soaring mercury the last few days here in Gotham. Later, when a flash storm swooshed down there was plenty of drama to match the stars inside.

This event always attracts the hoi polloi of hort and last night was no exception.

Bunny Williams, who the NY Times referred to as “The doyenne of cozy chic,” is the Chair of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Decorator Show House (since 2012) was there. I love her designs - and her Kips Bay “Gilded Knot” room at Kips Bay.

How she manages to attend and support all the benefits is inspired passion…

Barbara Frelinghuysen Israel, Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, is surely the quintessential doyenne and leading authority on period ornaments from around globe. I always ask her what the trends are that she’s seeing. This year she explained modernist pieces are increasingly popular while she pointed to seating she recently acquired for sale. I agree. Especially as I’m enjoying creating a mid-century garden design for a client. So many cool looks.



Likewise, Barbara continued, pieces with graphics are trending and American items - fueled in part by David and Peggy Rockefeller’s estate sale at Christie’s. She added that of course the classic ornaments are always popular.
Barbara is always a lot of fun, as well. I enjoy talking to her and, ahem, sharing champagne!

My friend John Danzer, Munder Skiles, exterior designer and restoration guru, was there too, having donated some of his impeccable garden furniture for the Preview’s Silent Auction. John shared some wonderful news about upcoming opportunities - then promptly asked that I not report on it until all the ink is dry on this and that. Pshaw. John is such a tease! But it’s all good. Stay tuned.



And it’s always a joy to see Melissa Ozawa, features editor at Martha Stewart Living.



For the first time, there were five book signings and a floral demo by author Cathy Graham for her book, Second Bloom: Cathy Graham’s Art of the Table by Graham and Alexis Clark.




Martha Stewart and Kevin Sharkey were front and center autographing their new book, Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying.

And we so enjoyed chatting it up with both authors while they signed our multiple copies of the book. They are so nice and engaging. With ever the eye for detail, Kevin asked about the jade buttons on my radish dress (so apropos for a garden event, no?!) which in turn led to another conversation where Martha decried a recent fashion faux pas where online audiences were throwing shade at a young women’s style that was similar to the dress I was wearing. This “shade” is not of the garden growing intent...

                                       

About the book: If you don’t already own it as part of your library - you need to get this tome.

It’s a useful guide, brimming with surefire tips from these two masters of all things flower - and lots of gorgeous photos. So it’s also a coffee table book, sure to spark garden chats. I especially like the tablescape and serving suggestions - they are presented as what I can only describe as still life art. Can’t wait to really “dig in” to this pretty and practical book.

I had the chance to spend a few minutes with garden friend, Barbara Paul Robinson, who while an attorney by profession, is also a garden historian and author. Her book, Heroes of Horticulture, Americans Who Transformed the Landscape, looks like it’s going to be a joy to read after Barbara gave us a sneak peek about the featured heroes included in the book, such as my former “boss,” Betty Scholtz! I love that woman.

Thank you, Barbara - we need this book - it should be required reading - especially for the next generation of Horticulture enthusiasts.



I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to see nor talk to garden associate and rather prolific garden writer and author, Jane Garmey. Her newest book is City Green: Public Gardens of New York.




Author Thomas Jayne was on hand, signing copies of his book, Classic Principles for Modern Design: Lessons from Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman’s The Decoration of Houses. Whew - that’s a long title!

However, the Garden Art and Antiques Fair will not be around for long. It’s as ephemeral as today’s cherry blossoms.

So it’s imperative that you hop up to the Garden for this weekend-long celebration

featuring the choicest plants, antiques, and art. As the Garden notes, “You can explore a wide range of decorative art and classic furniture of the finest quality—some with a modern twist, both elegant and fanciful—for the home and garden from nearly 30 leading dealers. New for 2018, experts take the stage for engaging and informative sessions on topics from interior to floral design. Guests can meet and mingle with prominent designers who will share their expertise by offering advice on how to incorporate items purchased at the Fair into their own homes and gardens.”

Friday through Sunday brings a newly expanded specialty plant sale at NYBG Shop featuring trees, shrubs, vines, hard-to-find perennials, herbs, and annuals from some of horticulture’s finest growers.

NYBG Shop’s expert staff will be on hand to help you make the perfect selections.

On Saturday, after exploring the Fair, watch artists create masterful works as more than 20 established plein-air artists spread out across the grounds during the Garden’s Third Annual Plein-Air Invitational. Finished art will be available for purchase.

Expert-led guided tours of NYBG’s renowned gardens and collections and live music round out this perfect spring weekend.”

The Garden Art & Antiques Fair takes place in the Conservatory Tent with The New York Botanical Garden’s landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as its magnificent backdrop. It is the ideal venue for learning about garden antiques and building personal collections. Admission to the Fair on Friday through Sunday, May 4 through 6, is included with the All-Garden Pass, which also provides access to the Botanical Garden grounds, seasonal gardens, attractions such as the Haupt Conservatory, and Tram Tour.

Don’t miss the glory of the fleeting spring garden art…

Rare & Exotic Orchids Dazzle at New York Botanical Garden's Annual Orchid Show - Homage to Thailand's Plant Culture

Gateway to a world of Orchids at The New York Botanical Garden - an homage to Thailand (see elephant topiaries)

At last - the moment every flower enthusiast waits all year for: The Orchid Show. The dazzling display of orchids at the 15th annual Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) does not disappoint; especially those who are crazy, passionate about these glamour pusses of the plant world.

This is where science and beauty meet head on in a full frontal assault. Wow.

Vanda Orchids!

This year’s Orchid Show (exhibit runs from February 18 through April 9th) pays homage to Thailand because of “the wealth of orchids, acclaimed tropical gardens, renowned breeding, and rich cultural history of this Southeast Asian nation… (and) home to to more than 1,200 native orchid species,” according to NYBG. Further you should know that “Thailand is a leading producer of cultivated orchids - in fact, it is the biggest exporter of tropical orchids in the world.”

Did you know that orchids are found on every continent save one? Orchids make up approximately 10 percent of all the plant species on earth; 25,000 species are known to scientists and more than 10 times that number of hybrid varieties.

No wonder we find orchids endlessly fascinating -- there’s just no end to their drama, shape, size, fragrance, and color.

And color is the frisson of this show.




I learned color is so important to the Thai culture - they LOVE color and utilize it extensively in their garden design, decorative arts -- in patterns and texture - with a kind of kaleidoscope display of diversity.

The show features a mix of native Thai orchids and hybrids: sourced from the Garden’s growers located in Florida and Hawaii, for example, in addition to what is grown at the Garden.

Marc Hachadourian, NYBG

And the respected authority for all things orchids at NYBG (and a kind of “Plant Whisperer” as he nurtures orchids seized illegally in the wild) is Marc Hachadourian, Manager of the Nolan Greenhouses for Living Collections .

I asked Marc about this year’s show upon arriving at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory's Palm of the World Gallery where elephant topiaries (elephants are the official national symbol of Thailand) and lush and luxuriant orchids captivate.

Marc explained that the Garden hadn’t produced a “geographic-themed” show in awhile -- then they got brainstorming and with Thailand acknowledged as the “epicenter” of tropical plants and horticulture, along with orchids - especially Dendrobiums and Vandas a key part of the Thai’s iconic culture along with Thailand’s connection to nature - made the decision a, ahem, natural one. “There is extreme diversity in the country’s orchids,” Marc said, underscoring how important plants are to a culture. Marc amplified the power of plants as contributors to a culture, saying “It’s no secret humans have had a long term love affair with orchids -- they are a supreme, global garden ‘flower.’”

I asked Marc what his favorite orchid is - to which he initially responded with a kind of punt, saying “whichever is in bloom at the moment.” Spoken like a true plant diplomat… 

He then embraced the Dendrobiums, (“cane-like stems” and some sport those impossible, purple-patterned blooms) saying he is a big fan of the miniatures. Agreed. Good things come in small packages.

There is a suite of miniatures at the Orchid Show - and in the Garden’s permanent collection.

Christian Primeau, NYBG explains the curated Orchid Show to journalists at Press Preview

Christian Primeau, NYBG’s Manager of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory responsible for the tropical and subtropical plant collections, spoke about the design of this year’s show, detailing the cultural reference displays.

Thai Garden Culture 

Entering the main part of the Orchid Show always leaves me a little breathless. There is so much of a spectacular sensation. It’s warm. It’s colorful. It’s fragrant -- and all that oxygen. Ahhhh. (Restores the giddy, breathless lightheadiness!)  

First up in this other-worldly, exotic delight are the hanging gold and white fabric decorative Sky Lanterns positioned in the tree branches overhead -- in the “Thai tradition of sky lanterns (khom loi) “lit on celebratory occasions to symbolically carry away bad fortune and bring good luck,” notes NYBG.

Sky Lantern “kissing” appropriately-named, ‘Dancing Ladies’ Oncidium and its yellow-gold color complement. 

The exhibit signage noted the full story of the symbolic lanterns.

Two of Thailand’s traditional Spirit Houses are replicated here, as well. They are sweet “shrines.”

The show’s educational signage explains how many Thai houses, businesses, and more have at least “one spirit house - (phra phum) and in cities such as Bangkok - they are probably on rooftops. Like our gardens in urban areas.

I think we all need these spirit houses. Christian joked the spirits can’t fly; and pointed out the ladder… The Spirit Houses are decorated with protective dragon spirits.

In a mirror exhibit, the Garden also showcases the Daily Offering Spirit House - demonstrating how the Thai people’s offerings of flowers, fruit, incense -- and strawberry soda (really?!) keep the spirits in a good mood and ensure good fortune.

The fragrant orchids are represented by the Cattleya oncidium - or “corsage orchid” - that in earlier times brought on good moods for all the lucky ladies who’s prom dates showed up with an orchid - - and Oncidium Irish Mist ‘Big Hot Sun.’

I was intrigued with the small Mai Dat - a tribute to the tradition of clipping trees and shrubs into a variety of shapes - a kind of topiary that dates from the 13th century and not unlike a kind of bonsai except that mai dat is meant to be “abstract and fanciful.”

One is hopelessly and lovingly drawn to the center of the Conservatory where the crowning pinnacle of any NYBG show reigns. Here for the Orchid Show, there is a replica of a Sala or place of relaxation from the sun -- and life. It is an homage to famed contemporary landscape design architect: Mom Tri, a descendent of King Rama IV - evoking a traditional Buddhist Thai garden. 

The Sala featured a temple-like hardscape structure studded with boatloads of phalaenopsis orchids -- on a topiary elephant “saddle” and on moss balls, along with those glorious Vandas - with their epiphyte kind of necklaces hanging below. Those epiphyte roots help absorb moisture and catch falling detritus, explained Christian.  

The Sala should be viewed also for the plant compositions created by NYBG curators. Please notice the elegant slipper orchids: paphiopedilum, ‘Silver Dollar’ Maidenhair ferns, and gorgeous rocks, placed ever so stylishly.

Philodendrons and ferns and bromeliads et al are the backdrops and foils for the show dazzlers but should not be overlooked.

My hands-down favorite display is the diminutive pool of black water -- accessorized with orchid petals of varying shades of fuschia, red and white. Surrounding the mysterious and captivating pool are more slipper orchids and white Dendrobium ‘Mini Snowflake’ orchids, and delicate Maidenhair ferns.

I dare you to stop looking! 

But I also especially loved a color composition up front in the display. The curators worked the yellow, burgundy and greens to subtle triumph. Look for the Oncostele ‘Wildcat’ - glowing with afternoon sun - low ground cover - Spathoglottis yellow orchids, hibiscus, fuschia-colored leaves… Take it all in.

There is also another grouping of lanterns by the sala -- the bamboo lanterns in a group of nine: a lucky number in Thailand. 

The Thai word for nine is gao, “similar to ‘progress’ and for ‘rice’ a staple food.” Even the pot containers are clustered in lucky number compositions. 

I confess I’m superstitious; to learn how Thais have lucky and unlucky numbers and traditions, resonated with me!  

I plan to return during one of the Orchid Evenings -- for nothing else but to experience the magical glow of these lanterns surrounded by orchids. Yet there is also dance and music -- and cocktails!  A trifecta of plant-entertainment, especially during the winter.  What's better than being in a seductive greenhouse with all those hot-hot beauties when it's cold outside.  Romance is surely "in the air."

I’ve often referred to orchids as “jewelry” and you’ll understand why when you view the Orchid Show -- the displays are priceless and elegant and glamorous. It seems appropriate then that a key sponsor of the Orchid Show is Baccarat (Thank you, Baccarat.)

There is a plethora of spot-on programs developed for the Orchid Show. Especially The Orchid Evenings -- sigh -- I can’t wait to experience those Thai Lanterns glowing at night in the Conservatory…

Orchid Evenings

Saturdays: March 4, 11, 18, and 25; April 1 and 8

Fridays: March 31 (LGBT Night) and April 7

6:30–9:30 p.m. (entry times at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m.)

Stroll through The Orchid Show: Thailand in the lush Conservatory, while music, dance, and unmatched beauty create one of New York City’s most unique and spectacular evening outings. On April 1 and 8, visitors can also upgrade their experience with the Young Garden Circle Lounge for skip-the-line access; free parking; a private open bar featuring beer, wine, and specialty cocktails; complimentary light bites; and a live DJ making for an unforgettable night. Advance tickets recommended. Cash bar available.


Film Screenings

Vanilla: The Sacred Orchid

Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19; 1, 1:30, and 2 p.m.

In Ross Hall

Learn the intriguing life process—from flower to pantry—of a favorite flavor. This scenic film examines the full-year cycle of this spice from Veracruz, Mexico. The vanilla orchid is still cultivated by the same indigenous people who have been growing it for centuries. The film is directed by Curtis Craven and runs 26 minutes.

Adaptation

Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26; 2 p.m.

In Ross Hall

In this popular 2002 feature film inspired by Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief, Nicolas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman, a lovelorn L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, self- loathing, and the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother, Donald (also Cage). While struggling to adapt The Orchid Thief by Orlean (Meryl Streep), Kaufman’s life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean, and John Laroche (Chris Cooper), the orchid poacher and subject of the book, become strangely intertwined as each one’s obsession collides with those of the others. (114 minutes, Rated R)


Dance Performances

Magical Thailand—A Journey with the Somapa Thai Dance Company

Saturdays and Sundays, March 4–April 9

Performances at 1 and 3 p.m.

In Ross Hall, or seasonally in Conservatory Plaza

The Somapa Thai Dance Company takes you on a journey to experience beautiful and magical Thailand. The Washington, D.C.-based dance company introduces audiences to Thai performing arts and culture with graceful classical and folk dances from various parts of Thailand.

The Orchid Show Tours

Tuesdays–Fridays; 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Meet at the Conservatory Entrance

Tour The Orchid Show with an expert guide. Get a brief introduction to the biology of orchids to learn what makes them so different from other flowers, and learn about some of the current research projects that our scientists are working on.

Roaming Guides

Saturdays and Sundays; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

In the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Garden guides highlight parts of the permanent collection and special exhibition to add insight to your experience of The Orchid Show. They will provide an in-depth look at rare and extraordinary orchid specimens on display.

Orchid Care Demonstrations

Saturdays and Sundays; 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

In the Conservatory GreenSchool

Join NYBG experts as they discuss the basics of orchid care and how to choose and successfully grow these exotic plants.

Orchid Expert Q&A
Saturdays and Sundays; 1:30–4:30 p.m.

In NYBG Shop

Drop in and ask about orchid care tips. Get help selecting the proper orchid for your home.


Also During The Orchid Show

Thousands of top-quality orchids, from exotic, hard-to-find specimens for connoisseurs to elegant yet easy-to-grow varieties for beginners, are available for purchase at NYBG Shop, along with orchid products and books. During The Orchid Show, visitors can enjoy a selection of dining options at the Hudson Garden Grill, NYBG’s full-service restaurant, which will have Thai-inspired offerings, and at the Pine Tree Cafe. 

It's cold outside -- get to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory for the 15th Annual NYBG Orchid Show