Synopsis Deriving its core themes first evident in Renaissance Italian Still Life Art, and  presenting them in contemporary settings, Death in Full Bloom explores the concept of “Natura Morta” - “ dead nature”. Natura Morta acknowledges the transient nature of beauty and life and the passing of all things in time. Like their classical counterparts Italian Renaissance artists were encouraged to capture “ut pictura poesis”,the poem in the picture" , and "the poetics affection" which also inspired music and poetry in Italy from the 16th century. Objects and scenes were chronicled by accurate pictorial representation and also displayed their allegorical, moral, and symbolic significance.  Death in Full Bloom is comprised of five parts. The performance will comprise selections from each section in a one hour program plus interval. Selected images of paintings and street scenes provide a visual counter-point to the performances which are also accompanied by music. City Of Blood Flowers Ten poems take the audience on a tour of contemporary Venice as if seen through Caravaggio’s eye. Millifiori “Millifiori” means “a thousand flowers” and refers to a decorative glass making technique. Antioch Challis The themes of religious iconography and sacred object are further explored in observations about the Antioch Challis. Black Madonna The concept of Still Life object as icon is further observed as the universal symbolism apparent in historical representations of the Madonna and Child from their pre-christian origins to the adoption of the Marian beliefs by Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla. Natura Morta The final section of the work comprises responses to still life paintings by Caravaggio, Goya, Picasso, Chardin, and local Brisbane still life artist  Stephen Nothling