Ovid's Fasti

  • Dates
    2022 - 2024
  • Author
  • Locations Italy, Singapore

An ethereal journey where ancient Roman myths blend with modern contemporary beauty. Guided by Ovid's epic poetry, the project brings to life long-forgotten legends, weaving a spellbinding tapestry of awe and enchantment.

Celestial lore and mythical tales converge in the project, 'Ovid's Fasti', an ethereal journey where the beauty of the present merges with the otherworldly realm of ancient Rome. Inspired by Ovid's enigmatic poems in his book titled 'Fasti', penned in the ancient Black Sea city of Tomis upon his exile by Emperor Augustus, this visual odyssey transcends time, beckoning us to embark on a transformative exploration.

As I venture amidst scattered ruins and surreal landscapes, guided by the verses of Ovid, I become a conduit to a world of forgotten whispers. Each site, meticulously captured, holds the power to transport us through time's seamless dance. Through the alchemy of hand-manipulated photographs, I breathe life into his verses, revealing their profound essence and forging a harmonious fusion of ancient wisdom and contemporary vision.

With these carefully crafted images, we traverse a delicate path guided by the enduring power of Ovid's legacy into an ethereal realm where ancient Rome's mystique intertwines with our modern consciousness. Here, the veils of time are lifted, and the realms of the past and present converge in a mesmerizing symphony of wonder.

"Times and their causes, unearthed from ancient annals, stars sunk beneath earth and risen, I sing." - Ovid

This project is a candidate for PhMuseum Days 2024 Open Call

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© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Flora, the goddess of a thousand varied flowers: "I was once known as Chloris, but now I am called Flora. A mere shift in my name, wrought by Latin's touch upon a Greek letter. In days of yore, I was the nymph Chloris, frolicking in the happy fields, where the blessed dwell."

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Vesta's Blessing: Seize the day Vesta, she was welcomed into the house of her kindreds; so as the just Fathers have proclaimed. Phoebus claims a part, Vesta the other, He holds the remainder. Be eternal, Laurels of Palantine.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Equirria Nefastus Publicus: When the sphere are raised and sunk six times by the swift charioteer across the darkening red sky, one can observe the races of Equirria on the Campus turf, bounded by the waters of Tiber.

© Alvin Ng - Endotercisus: Tomorrow's dawn denotes the winter's middle point. What is left will equal what went before.
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Endotercisus: Tomorrow's dawn denotes the winter's middle point. What is left will equal what went before.

© Alvin Ng - Luna, the Goddess of the Moon: Luna rules the months. Luna closes this month's time with her worship on the Aventine Hill.
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Luna, the Goddess of the Moon: Luna rules the months. Luna closes this month's time with her worship on the Aventine Hill.

© Alvin Ng - The Setting of Lyra: When the seventh rising sun plunges in the waves, Lyra will now shine nowhere in the sky.
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The Setting of Lyra: When the seventh rising sun plunges in the waves, Lyra will now shine nowhere in the sky.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Saturnus, God of Abundance: The sickle God roamed the world in a vessel and arrived at the Tuscan river. I recalled Saturnus settling in this land; Jupiter ousted him from the throne of the sky.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Vestalia Nefastus: Vesta, favor me. Our lips open in your service, if we are allowed to approach your rites. I was lost in prayer. I felt a divine presence, and the joyful ground glowed with sacred light.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The Sacred Seeds in Poets' Souls: Within us dwells a god, whose motions stir our souls, whose influence fosters seeds of sacred thought. For me, especially, it is fitting to gaze upon divine visages, as I am a poet, singing of holy themes.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Janus, the God of Keys: May peace reign over the teeming earth, and may the oceans be calm. Be with your senators and the people of Quirinus; open the doors of our shining temples with your divine approval.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The Home of Chiron: Before the fourth night, Chiron unveils his stellar gallery—a hybrid of man and steed. On Mount Pelion in Haemoniae, adorned with green pine and oak, an ancient cavern, as remembered, shelters the son of Philyra.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Terminus, the God of Boundaries: Terminus, the ancient tell, was found in the shrine and stayed, and shares the great Jupiter's temple. Even now, so he sees nothing but the stars above.

© Alvin Ng - Vesta's Gift: Go, folk, seek fumigant from the virginal altar; Vesta will give it, Vesta's gift will cleanse.
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Vesta's Gift: Go, folk, seek fumigant from the virginal altar; Vesta will give it, Vesta's gift will cleanse.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The Doom of Chiron: Chiron's fate was sealed by inspecting Hercules' foul arrows dipped in Hydra's blood, piercing his foot. The Hydra's blood mixed with his own, and on the ninth day, you just Chiron, surround yourself with twice seven stars.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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Jupiter Supreme: There is no name beyond the Fabii, the house called 'Maximus' for its service. But all these are distinguished by human honours; His name is shared by Jupiter Supreme.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The Seven Sisters: At the dawn that reddens the heavens, the birds grumble, soaked by the dew. The traveller rests his torch and the farmer tends to his fields. The Pleiades will ease the shoulders of their sires. Believed to be seven, but only six shines

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The Hidden Sister: Either because the six bedded with the divine; Steropè with Mars, Halcyonè and you, fair Celæno, with Neptune. Maia, Electra, and taÿetè with Jove - The seventh, graceful Meropè, married mortal Sisyphus and hides away alone in shame.

© Alvin Ng - Image from the Ovid's Fasti photography project
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The blessings of Janus: Look, Germanicus, Janus proclaims a happy year for you and is present to start my song. The two-headed Janus, source of the silent-gliding year, who alone of the gods see your own back, unlock your gleaming temples with your nod.

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