The artist film “Venus Flytrap” by Joiri Minaya takes viewers through the creation of a performance series and installation in North America’s oldest surviving botanical garden. Co-directed by Joiri and Xenia Matthews, the film captures the artist’s journey as she explores themes of freedom, extraction, and ecology in Philadelphia’s Bartram’s Garden.
Last summer, Joiri Minaya presented a site-specific performance series and installation at Bartram’s Garden, curated by Dessane Lopez Cassell. The series delves into the intertwined histories of the garden, culminating in a carnivalesque performance where performers retreat into a large tree surrounded by colorful printed fabrics created by the artist at the Fabric Workshop and Museum. Hrag Vartanian of Hyperallergic praised the series for its elegance and depth in reflecting on the garden’s legacy.
This exclusive film, co-directed by Joiri and Xenia Matthews, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind “Venus Flytrap.” Joiri describes the film as a reflection of her journey in relation to the land, history, and diasporic experience, incorporating the voices of her collaborators who helped shape the project. Xenia Matthews, the co-director, highlights the thrill of capturing Joiri’s experimental process on camera.
“Venus Flytrap” was produced by BlackStar Projects, with major support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and additional support from the William Penn Foundation. The film showcases the collaborative effort and artistic vision that went into bringing Joiri Minaya’s project to life.
Overall, the film offers a unique glimpse into the creative process of an artist exploring complex themes in a historic botanical garden. Through stunning visuals and insightful commentary, “Venus Flytrap” invites viewers to engage with the intersection of art, nature, and history in a thought-provoking and visually captivating way.
