March 08, 2009

French novelist Jean Girandoux very aptly said, “The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of external seductiveness of life.” Ikebana tries to capture this beauty reflecting man’s existence in miniature form amongst the universe.

Ikebana, meaning living flowers, is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kado. Taken from two words ‘ikeru’ meaning to arrange and ‘bana’ which means flowers, it is a disciplined art form bringing man and nature together. Using elements that are organic, it focuses on minimalism, emphasising the use of a limited numbers of flowers.

The containers in which the flowers are arranged play an important role in the composition of the arrangement. There is a spiritual aspect attached to those who practice Ikebana and for the Japanese, silence is important during the arrangement, to bring the person closer to nature, which imbibes the qualities of patience and tolerance towards others.

Through the centuries, Ikebana continues to be a distinct art of the Japanese culture. Begun by Buddhist monks, it further developed over the years and now its dwarfish form has also gained popularity. An exhibition of miniature Ikebana was recently organised by the Japan Cultural Centre and the Ikenoba Study Group .

Exploring creativity and the freedom to express individuality, Ikebana has become popular in Pakistan, and the mini floral arrangement exhibited by the members reflected amply their personal expression and imagination. The force behind this exhibition, Asifa Ataka, president of the Ikenobo Study Group, Karachi, got her inspiration for the exhibition from the Japanese consul general’s wife, Madam Fumiko Wada, who is an artist herself and has decorated her home with mini folk crafts of Japan. “The goal of this art is to beautify the limited available space by using limited resources, and hence mini Ikebana gained importance. It is quite flexible as it personifies the ‘less is more’ ideology,” said Ataka.

Using their imagination, members of the study group, including Asifa Ataka, came up with unusual containers such as an orange cut in half, a CD case, small vase made of spoons, toy cot, car tools, wires and any useable item that the imagination of the artist fancied. Small spring flowers and leaves were used in simple yet artistic styles. Small flowers such as mini cosmos, sweet williams, sweet sultan, corn flowers, larkspur etc., were used in the arrangements to fit into the mini containers. The delightful and unusual arrangements were very popular with the visitors.