Very beautiful and bold attempt to translate Art Deco style into the language of flowers. Deep, subtle understanding of the form and color in the compositions created by St. Petersburg florists.

Passing the gallery

A photo: George Shablovsky

Leading headings: Maria Kriger

Magazine: N10 (55) 2001

At first glance, it is simple and unassuming. In practice, it turns out to be refined esthete, capricious and very selective. He likes straight lines and geometric patterns, prefers glass and non-ferrous metals. He borrows from modernism and constructivism, and sympathizes with ancient Egypt and medieval Japan. His appearance did not cause a revolution or even scandal. His homeland is America of the 1930s: the first skyscrapers, rapid technical progress, gangsters, the Great Depression. About him do not say "big" or "fundamental." Still, He is Style. He is Mr. Art Deco. The achievements of science and technology, which gave an impetus to the emergence of Art Deco, have long become rarities, and to this day it remains modern and relevant. Perhaps the whole point is that behind his wry simplicity and unpretentiousness there is a deep, subtle understanding of form and color and real “stylishness”: it is impossible to falsify in it, any wrong note is heard. He "touches", he is somehow subtly similar to us: external straightness and sometimes aggressiveness, combined with internal insecurity and confusion. That is why, probably, many designers and artists want to “try on” Art Deco for themselves, at least to live a little in an atmosphere of refined, “tired” decadence. The compositions created by Petersburg florists are a very beautiful and bold attempt to translate Art Deco into the language of flowers. There is no place for magnificent posh bouquets and ostentatious luxury. It does not act "choir": everyone wants to show their individuality and exists slightly apart from the rest. Lilies fearfully look out of the "windows" - high cylindrical cylindrical vases. They seem a little wary and frightened; it seems that it is not you who look at them, but they secretly, sneakily, examine you. The flowers are getting some amazingly animated, it seems that you won’t be surprised if they speak to you ... For some reason, the Little Prince and his capricious rose, which was so afraid of drafts, are remembered. Pink callas in high transparent vases have a completely different mood: their proudly raised heads and fancifully curved stems are one of the favorite motifs of modernity, "inherited" by Art Deco. They are the living embodiment of style, they are self-sufficient, satisfied with themselves and do not consider it necessary to hide it. Each of the compositions has its own mood: white lilies in a high frame vase create the impression of nervous sensuality and insecurity, and luxurious pink roses resemble a magnificent birthday cake. However, despite such an abundance of "soloists", each of whom sees himself as the main figure of this performance, Style remains the main actor in it. It is he who creates an exquisite simplicity, the understanding of which is accessible only to the elect; he fills all the works with a special mood, which combines fleeting sadness and ostentatious unconcern ... This is his own world, in which there is no access to bustle and routine everyday worries. Let there, outside the window, the world live its life; here curtains are drawn, soft music plays, intolerable lightness of being reigns here. From Art Deco.The editors thank for the assistance in filming the administration of the hotel "Astoria" (St. Petersburg)