THE ORCHID SHOW, Jeff leatham's Kaleidoscope at the New York Botanidal Garden: Review by Polly Guerin

Jeff Leatham

The multi-fascinating colors in nature at THE ORCHID SHOW, at the New York Botanical Garden, immerses the visitor in a wonderland where thousands of orchids are on display in dazzling creations by icon and floral designer to the stars Jeff Leatham.
        Leatham's captivating designs and installations have transformed each gallery of the exhibition, in NYBG's historic Enid  A Haupt Conservatory, into a different color experience, like the turn of a kaleidoscope.
    THE ORCHID SHOW: JEFF LEATHAN'S KALEIDESOPE, on display through April 19, 2020, invites you to get out of the chill of winter and be greeted by purple verandas suspended above a 10-foot-tall mirrored orchid sculpture with a fountain of water streaming into a black pool. Other galleries and spaces of the exhibition, each designed in its own color
scheme, include plantings of green and white cymbidiums aid grasses, yellow orchid arches, and a kaleidoscope of
 light.
       "Color is the first and most important aspect of my work, always," Jeff Leatham said when describing his creations for THE ORCHID SHOW. "I want every gallery to be a different color experience for visitors as they move from through them, like looking into a kaleidoscope. I loved kaleidoscopes as a child. You start dreaming as you look through one. People have seen the interiors of the conservatory already, but with this exhibition, I want them to look through them like never before."        

Kaleiescope Installation

     The popular Orchid Show now in its much anticipated 18th year, thousands of orchids provide bursts of forms and colors---in purples, red, oranges, and hot pink---revealed through overhead arches, vine-inspired ribbons, mirrored sculpture, and dramatic lighting, and other artistic embellishments. Leatham worked with horticulturists from NYBG, including Senior Curator of Orchids Marc Hachadourian, to assemble orchids from its collections as well as from the finest growers in the world. 
       ABOUT THE DESIGER: Jeff Leatham has been creating a sensation with his floral installations since he began his career in 1995. His work is a combination of his love for flowers and passion for design Leatham has produced spectacular displays in Paris for nearly two decades and among his accolades in 2014 he was knighted with The Order des Arts et des Lettres---the highest honor for artists and others who have made a significant contribution to French culture. His client list includes the most celebrated movie stars and personalites.  His books remain best welling design books worldwide.   

 Beautiful Orcchid

STYLISH ORCHID EVENINGS, A DEISGNER TALK and more:  During Orchid evenings on select dates, throughout the run of THE ORCHID SHOW, Jeff Leatham's Kaleidocope adults 21 and over can experience the exhibition at night with music, cash bars and light bites. Top of the list, Princess Lockerdoo teams up with renowned musician Harold O'Neal for a fierce and fabulous performance. You are invited to come dressed in your boldest floral-inspired fashion. Advance ticket purchase is recommended to gain admission to these special events, Visit:
www.nybg.org/event/the-orchid-show/orchid evenings/ for more details.
     Other exhibition programming includes Orchid Basics Q&A Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. at the NYBG Shop where staff help customers select the best orchid for the home, and Orchid Care Demonstrtions on Sundays at 1 and 2 p.m. in the Haupt Conservatory GreenSchool where orchid experts provide advice on how to choose and successfully grow these elegant plants. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORCHID SHOW: JEFF LEATHAM'S KALEIDOSCOPE and to purchase tickets visit: nybg.com.
     Ta Ta Darlings! Nothing like taking a color immersion to inspire and warm up our imagination
in Leatham's kaleidoscope world of wonder and fascination. Please send your comments and
fan mail to pollytalknyc@gmail.com.