Today I am continuing last week's subject, being the Sogetsu Victoria Branch workshops that were presented last weekend by Mr Umemura from Sydney.
The Saturday workshops were less controversial than the one I reported on last week. However, they were more challenging. One of the exercises prevented the participants from making any preparations. We were all asked to bring a vessel and some materials for an arrangement, which were then separated. Participants were allocated a vessel by drawing lots and then allocated materials, also by drawing lots. We were not permitted to keep materials that were brought with the vessel.
I was allocated a unique small handmade vessel by Kuninori Shimbo, with a rich glaze in brown tones. I think it may be a tenmoku glaze. The vessel is triangular in cross-section and about 20cm on its long side. It was designed so that it could be stood on one of its ends and had two openings. I was given a large variety of materials. However, because of the strong design of the vessel and its darkish colour, I decided to limit the materials I used.
The other exercise on the day was a nageire arrangement using a vertical fixture. We were to arrange materials for the subject: 'autumn breeze'.
I think I got a little fixated on making sure my Shin (longest) line was the correct length in proportion to the vase. I had brought the straight materials on the left and the pomegranate from home, having picked them two days earlier. In looking at this now I think I am guilty of having two focal points, the pomegranate and the orange leaves. In which case the line on the left becomes distracting.
Back at home I re-worked the arrangement and feel much more satisfied with the result. It is a simpler arrangement and stronger for that simplicity.
Click here for more workshop photos.
Greetings from Christopher
1st June 2019
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