Themes and images shown at the Amsterdam International Flower Show

Passing the gallery

Text: Elena Prytula

A photo: Viktor Smirnov

Magazine: (48) 2001

It seems that it is not necessary to walk for a long time for floristic exhibitions - it is enough to just stand near one constantly changing stand and observe the designer’s manipulations. This is exactly what the Dutch Blumenburo demonstrated at its exhibition venue, a kind of performance, could be seen at the Amsterdam Trade Flower Show (International Exhibition of Flower Producers) The first visitors looked at the almost empty stand in the form of an interior corner, resembling a hallway on a number of signs: a small pine chest of drawers, checked and striped bags hung on hooks, plastic containers and a pair of chairs in a cheerful orange color a la the 70s. And then, in front of the amazed public, the florists began to fill this modest corner with flower compositions of various shapes and sizes. As in the nature awakened after winter sleep, flowers began to sprout uncontrollably everywhere - bouquets appeared on chairs, on the floor, on the chest, justifying the significant name of the stand GROWING TOGETHER. The colors of the presented compositions are notable for amazing sincerity and almost childlike spontaneity of the view of the world. Enumeration of the dominant colors can cheer up even the finished pessimist - red, yellow, orange, lilac compete in brightness and saturation, and lightened backgrounds emphasize the beauty of these amazing color chords. Tender shades of greenery are few, but they are the best way to convey the joy of spring awakening of nature. The feeling of the approaching spring as in a mirror was reflected not only in colors, but also in forms of bouquets. The exceptional variety of compositions is quite understandable - the riot of blossoming spring flowers turned into a real firework of design ideas. Plants are placed in compositions completely free, forming unexpected and even paradoxical combinations, for example, the neighborhood of a rose and sweet pepper. No less interesting is the creative process of making bouquets, which gives rise to an absolutely free flow of associations not only from the author, but also from the audience. Probably, it is this set of themes and images that helps the compositions to appear in front of us each time in an unexpected way - always new as spring itself, which again gives a lively sip of color ...