Cult Rites
The pollen saturated stamens of a Tawny Daylily stand erect and clustered alongside the pistil as the bloom opens. (Hemerocallis fulva)
This piece is part of a three part series to accompany "Bacchanal", an #aubjkt4aubjkt2 piece - itself accompanying "Aubergine in Repose", a #aubjkt4aubjkt tribute.
Dionysus (Bacchus) was known as a God of fluidity, winemaking, theatre, fertility, madness and changeable nature.
The Dionysian Mysteries were an ancient cult practice of Greek, Roman and regional cultures which used intoxicants such as wine and ergot as well as other trance inducing techniques to liberate individuals into their most natural state. This was a cult for the marginalized and oppressed which celebrated the changeable and fluid Dionysus (Bacchus), and was an indirect challenge and threat to the rigid social constraints of the polytheistic patriarchal structures of the time. Also known as a Bacchanal, these rituals took place in forests or wild edges of settlements where participants imbibed, danced, and feasted. Suspicions of raucous sexual activities were also associated with Bacchanalia where orgies, gender fluidity was explored and roles of dominance and submission were reversed. Only inductees could participate.
2023 Nikon D3500, 55-200mm Lens + 68mm extension tube.
Photographed in situ, without the use of artificial lighting or staging. Photoshop only used for resizing.
1024x683 300dpi JPG
Aubergine: Bacchanal Exploration II of III
