Spring to Summer Incarnata: A Nature Narrative

In April 2016, Celeste Snowber performed her Spring Incarnata to a sold out audience on a perfect Saturday afternoon. As the new Artist in Residence at UBC Botanical Garden, Celeste uses dance, poetry and the David C. Lam Asian Garden to interpret the landscape through an array of narratives. Coming July 14, Celeste will be performing again, this time celebrating all of the offerings of summer. Throughout her performances, she interprets the history and meaning of flowering plants and dances to celebrate the wonders of nature. Join us this July for Summer Incarnata: Dance and Poetry in the Asian Garden (Thursday July 14, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at UBC Botanical Garden).

Ode to Rhododendrons

Celeste Snowber
Spring 2016

floribundum, kensangiae, denudatum
oligocarpum, asterochnoum, farinosum
sinofalconeri, flinckii, coeloneuron

a poem written on the land
hailing from lands spun afar
Northeast Bhutan, Vietnam, Arunachal Pradesh of India
Guangxi, Northern Guizhou,
Daliang Shan and Yunnan provinces of China
ceremonies of a painter’s palette
creamy yellows, pale pinks, bright fuchsias
strawberry reds, crimson & vermillion
an array of whites, purple blotches

you rival Benjamin Moore
collection of paint samples
in one season of spring
who can keep up with you?
collective of colour and foliage
confirmed in the wild
you flourish in the Asian garden
long after you are chased by lovers
you are faithful to bloom
and give us hope to keep cultivating
what grows within us.

Upcoming Celeste Snowber offerings:

• Summer Incarnata: Dance and Poetry in the Asian Garden
  Thursday July 14, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Writing in Place: Workshop
  Thursday August 18, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Fall Performance: Dance and Poetry in the Asian Garden
  Saturday September 24, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Submitted by Dr. Tara Moreau, Associate Director, Sustainability and Community Programs, June 30, 2016