Orzchis

Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th century nun, mystic, composer, and writer. I created packaging for an album titled "Orzchis", meaning "Immeasurable", a word that comes from Hildegard's constructed language and alphabet, the Lingua Ignota.

In addition to the standard CD, I envisioned a Non-Stop Dance Remix version of Hildegard’s compositions. My overall goal with this project was to bring her genius to a new, younger audience, and I thought this was a clever (and somewhat humorous) way to accomplish that.

The illustrations on the CDs are my own re-interpretations of the imagery seen in Scivias — an illuminated manuscript likely created in collaboration with Hildegard herself. Scivias documents divine visions seen by Hildegard. The compositions are noteworthy as some of the most unique imagery to come out of its era in art history.

Left — Hildegard’s vision of the Trinity (Scivias Codex Plate 11)

Right — Choir of Angels (Scivias Codex Plate 9)

The name “Orzchis” and the seemingly abstract lettering on the front cover is actually derived from Hildegard’s own constructed alphabet, the Lingua Ignota.