Entre Cattleya trianae y Passiflora incarnata

This piece is part of “Entre Sistemas Invisibles” (Between Invisible Systems), a trans-disciplinary body of work of fiber, video, and performative dancing that unravels hidden systems of oppression in our daily lives. This project started during the initial stages of the 2021 protests in Colombia and was conceived as part of the whole project of “Entre Sistemas Invisibles.”

“Entre Cattleya trianae y Passiflora incarnata” translates into English as “Between cattleya trianae and Passiflora incarnata.”

The national flower of Colombia is the orchid, scientifically known as the Cattleya Trianae. It is also known as Flor de Mayo or Christmas orchid. One of Tennessee's state wildflowers is Passiflora Incarnata, commonly known as the Purple Passionflower, or True Passionflower among other names. The Purple Passionflower reminded me of the Colombian “passion fruit.” Many of the fruits that I grew up with in Colombia – such as Granadilla, Lulo, and Curuba – all translate into English as, simply, “passion fruit.” The parallel of the purple passion flower and the Colombian “passion fruits” has a comical connotation to me, and this connotation also encapsulates the duality of my two homelands, Colombia and the States.