Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2014

This work Frame is part of a larger interactive project, Showcase 2014, designed specifically for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2014. Showcase has a physical element in this work here, and a virtual element on Facebook. 

Shoso invites you to complete the virtual element by uploading a photo of you and your friends with Frame as a background. To be part of Showcase 2014, stand outside the exhibit and take a photo using Frame as a backdrop. Then follow the instructions below to upload your best photo. Check the ShosoMIFGS Facebook page the next day to see your contribution to Showcase 2014. 

It took us three days to set up the work and many of Shoso's students volunteered to help set up and break down. Thank you Jo, Emalia, Angeline, Jennie, Risa & Akemi for your great help. Without your help, we could not complete the work in time.  

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Lorne Sculpture Biennale

Shoso Shimbo was one of the 20 artists selected for the Scupturescape in the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2014.

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Ikebana Today 21

Now, let’s consider relationship between Ikebana and art. Our focus is Sofu’s statement, “Ikebana is Art”, that brought about the great Ikebana boom after the war. What did it really mean and what was the influence of that statement on Ikebana?

First, we have to think why Sofu had to make such a statement. We can easily assume that people in general did not think Ikebana was art at that time, therefore Sofu’s statement was controversial but meaningful. If everybody thought Ikebana was art, nobody would make such a statement. 

Sofu’s view is easy to understand and was widely accepted. Traditional Ikebana is not art because everybody makes similar arrangements. Ikebana as art should be free, allowing each person to express his or her individuality. As I said before, this idea is not his own original one and I just wanted to review the outline of Sofu’s argument this time.  

Almost 50 years have passed since the beginning of the great Ikebana boom. It is a good time to reconsider the relationship between Ikebana and art. In order to start such a discussion, it is necessary to define clearly what is Ikebana and what is art. We may start to talk about the definition of Ikebana in the next issue.        

This month I would like to show an Ikebana arrangement I made for delivery. Although it is quite an unusual concept for traditional Ikebana, I have to accept these kinds of orders as an Ikebana artist working outside Japan. I used down-sticks and florist foam to fix flowers. The container is to give away. As it is a delivery item, the size has to be easy to carry. To meet popular demand, I used a lot of flowers, although that is not really my style. Actually, I believe that commercial Ikebana is a new style that not many Ikebana schools are interested in developing. Maybe I should found a new Ikebana school to develop this commercial style!  

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