Thursday, April 14, 2016

Ikebana: Floral Art

My first stop in the Museum of Nature was in the rotunda area beyond the main entrance, where on two levels, a temporary exhibition was underway. Ikebana is the Japanese art of floral arrangement. While Western traditions tend to mass flowers together into a bouquet, this is an art that emphasizes shape, line, and form, and draws attention to things like the stem or leaves. It has two schools of thought, ohara and sogetsu, according to one of the local chapter members I spoke with; she compared the difference of the two approaches as like the differences between landscape and abstract art. Examples of both by the Ottawa chapter of ikebana floral artists were on display in this area.

43 comments:

  1. Pretty floral arrangement. Have a great day!

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  2. I would lie if I said I like all of them, but some of those pieces are quite beautiful.

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  3. It is very artistic and precious done.

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  4. I like abstract art, but hadn't thought about it within the realm of flower arranging. #4 is pretty abstract!

    Janis
    GDP

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  5. Beautiful Ikebana exhibits! I like that Ikebana values shape, line, and form, and also the space. The 4th work is quite unique!

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  6. I like that the figure in that third photo especially. Very creative.

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  7. Beautiful floral arrangements, William !

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  8. We have a good friend who makes these things. She's Japanese but has spent most of her life in this country. She made us a beautiful floral thingy much like the one in your 2nd photo. That takes a lot of skill.

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  9. I can't say I'm a fan of this style. I've never seen flowers look so stark and lacking their usual warmth. Still, it's fun to see everything that you do through your lens. Thanks for that.

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  10. @Linda: it was the first time I had heard of the idea.

    @Nancy: it is quite different from the conventional western arrangements.

    @Bill: some suited me more than others.

    @Tomas: quite curious!

    @Jan: a lot of creativity went into it.

    @Marianne: indeed.

    @Janis: I wouldn't have thought of floral art as art before.

    @Tamago: it was quite different from what I am accustomed to.

    @Revrunner: quite creative.

    @Karl: it would be beyond my abilities!

    @Lowell: I wondered if anyone would be familiar with the style.

    @Hilary: you're welcome.

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  11. Wow, beautiful arrangements. I do enjoy seeing Ikebana arrangements. They are so artistic.

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  12. Well, I've seen this before and now I know what it is. good explanation.

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  13. I have always considered this something between magic and art... Great photos, by the way!

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  14. @Sharon: it was a surprise to see them.

    @Red: thanks! I was glad to meet the group member- I hope I got the basics covered right.

    @Cloudia: thank you.

    @Halcyon: who'd have thought?

    @VP: that's a good description.

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  15. i am always a fan of anything flowers. i worked in 5 or was it 6 different florists over my life? any who ... loved most moments, Valentine's day & Mother's day was wild times. very stressful times. i think it was fun to help folks out. i enjoy silk arrangements 'cause most are long lasting unlike real fresh flowers. i love those were their scents though. my faves are daisies, sunflowers & any flowers that scream fall (autumn season) times. ( ;

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  16. Love plant art. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful!

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  17. I particularly like the 2nd from last one!

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  18. I've seen people making these on tv a while ago. True art!

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  19. @Beth: I can imagine those being busy periods for florists.

    @Carolann: you're welcome.

    @Norma: indeed!

    @RedPat: me too.

    @Marleen: this was my introduction to the concept.

    @Tex: yes, it is.

    @Ciel: it was quite a surprise to me.

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  20. Beautiful! I've never seen this type of floral arrangement before.

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  21. Stumped by a couple of these but they are creative. You captured their essence.

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  22. Ilove Ikebana. When I worked in a nursery I used to TRY to make some up. I liked them but never as good as the Japanese. they are just beautiful
    MB

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  23. Wow, I never know what to expect from you! That first image is so delicate! You have many interests, William.

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  24. Very beautiful in there simplicity....

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  25. @Lois: it was new to me too.

    @Eve: thanks! They were thought provoking.

    @Mari: thanks!

    @MB: this art would be way beyond me. Apparently the Ottawa chapter often exhibits through the Japanese embassy here.

    @Linda: these works certainly caught my eye.

    @Geoff: indeed.

    @Orvokki: I think so.

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  26. Very Japanese looking. Artistically arranged.

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  27. There is such a sweet delicacy in the ikebana arrangements. The first one is particularly appealing.

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