The “country” atmosphere of Russian classics, the serenity of a hot summer, the inviting scent of roses and the exquisite simplicity of wild flowers in the compositions of Russian florists

Passing the gallery

A photo: Evgeny Luchin

Text: Maria Kriger

Magazine: H (54) 2001

In those distant times, when the inhabitants of our northern country did not even think about distant foreign resorts, the summer passed in a quiet family-dacha setting. Now a lot has changed. Nevertheless, no-no, yes, and nostalgia for a cozy house, somewhere in Malakhovka, and grandmother’s jam. The theme of the compositions created by florists Tatiana Khozina, Tatiana Kireyeva, Olga Galkina and Inna Tereshchenko can be described precisely as "country sketches": jam, a cocktail on the sunlit veranda, bouquets with wildflowers. The works feel the influence of the “country” atmosphere of the Russian classics - Chekhov, Bunin, Kuprin. It is a serene hot summer filled with the smell of honey, garden roses and jasmine. Noon, an old wooden house, in which it is cool even in the strongest heat, the samovar smokes on the table, the hostess cooks jam, stirring with a wooden spoon in a large copper basin ... Compositions - "jam" created from rose petals and wild berries, fascinate with juicy bright colors: it seems that they even emit a sweet, alluring fragrance, into which bumblebees and bees fly from all the environs. There is a thin sugar “foam” on the flower petals - some more, and a wonderful delicacy can be served on the table. A large bouquet in a high matte vase as if absorbed all the colors of the summer of the middle band. It combines noble lush roses and exquisitely simple mouse peas, colza and field chamomile. It is permeated with sunlight, heat and bliss. The birch branches included in the composition remind of the great Trinity church festival, when, according to Orthodox tradition, churches and houses are decorated with bouquets of flowers and birch branches. "Cocktail" composition with white roses and anemones is refined aristocratic. The main colors - white, cobalt blue and bright, “young” green, combined with clear verticals of glasses and “cocktail sticks”, give it a hint of classical severity, and threads of pearls, like frozen there and then drops of fabulous rain, are added to this linear world a little frivolity and immediacy. When you come into contact with the wonderful world of floristics, it starts to seem that literally everything can be created from flowers - a picture, a palace, a dress ... Flowers, these proud and tender creatures, as if submitting to the will of the almighty wizard, become an obedient "building material" for creativity. Therefore, it is not surprising that a cake made from rose petals, fresh berries and fruits looks absolutely like a real one — so much so that you want, like in childhood, to come and sneak it in for a taste. In the skillful hands of artists, pale pink, yellow, tea roses turn into the softest air cream and whipped cream. There are sparkling champagne glasses on the table, flowers ... A little more - and it seems that a happy laughing couple will enter.The editors thank Starlight for their assistance in organizing the filming.