Rikka

2011.
Size Photographes: 75 cm x 11cm; Glass: largest 25 cm x 48 cm ø smallest 0,5 cm x 0,9 cm
Material- Technique: Color Photographes, framed, blown, cut and sandblasted glass, stacked
Photocredit: Kichiro Okamura

Description:
While in Japan I joined a group of women to learn about Ikebane. The Rikka  style was developed as a Buddhist expression of the beauty of landscapes in nature. Key to this style are nine branches that represent elements of nature. Traditionally these arrangements are displayed in a tokonoma, a special alcove in the house for the appreciation of art and craft, 
Based on the elements of this style I created an altar of two arrangements of glass domes, each of them containing 18 parts, the double of the original number of elements. As these arrangements where often accompanied by scrolls, photographs complete my composition..
Ikebana is said to make one become more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire one to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature, which provides relaxation for the mind, body, and soul.