WITH FLOWERS ONLY

Since last week's posting I have had Julie's surplus Dancing-lady Oncidium orchids gracing the sideboard for the week and still looking very fresh. Their constant presence has made me notice them from different view points. 

When they cascade toward the viewer the multiple surfaces of the middle petal enhance their sense of mass. However, side-on the stems have a marked linear character.  This linear characteristic set me to wonder which of my ikebana vases would best show these lines. 

As I drifted to sleep one night I realised that a uniquely-shaped vessel by Grahame Wilkie had just the elevation and curve.

The word 'swoon' always comes to mind when I think of this vessel. Looking back at earlier photos, I notice that I have always arranged the principle line creating a curve in the opposite direction to the vessel.

  

This time I realised that it would be interesting to follow the curve. I have added two deep- red anthurium flowers, which in this view are behind the oncidium flower stems. I would have liked to be able to create a slide show of these photos as I rotated the vessel through 180 degrees...

... because the arrangement changes significantly from each view point.

This angle shows the anthurium just beginning to peep out from the right hand side.

Then more so.

Finally the opposite face of the vessel begins to show.

I have placed this ikebana in the living room niche where I pass it each time I go into the kitchen. In this location I do actually see the arrangement through 180 degrees.

This week's blog title 'With Flowers Only' is an exercise from the advanced curriculum of the Sogetsu school. It is surprisingly difficult to make satisfying ikebana without branches and leaves. I think the reasons are that Ikebana is very sculptural and usually needs line to define the asymmetrical form and create space. Also flowers which often provide the mass of the arrangement can be very eye-catching. So, an arrangement with only flowers can tend to look arranged in a western style.

My final ikebana this week is by my friend and mentor, Kath Dacy. Kath, who retired from teaching ikebana some years ago, and is a source of wisdom for me with great insights into the art of ikebana. 

I visited Kath last Monday and was delighted to see this rather large 'With Flowers Only' ikebana that she had created from remnants of rather more traditional arrangement in the Chapel of her new home. 

I noticed that the work has harmonious use of colour. It is also an asymmetrical design with line mass and space. I think it is particularly characteristic of ikebana that she has placed the visually-strong larger flowers to the side and rear of the arrangement, so that they are seen among and through the other materials.

Thanks Kath.

Greetings from Christopher
6th October 2019