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synergy: ikebana & clay collaboration

updated tue 18 mar 08

 

Elizabeth Herod on mon 17 mar 08


This is a big Thank You to all of you that have helped me over the years.
If not for your encouragement, I would not be where I am today. (Of course=
,
I still have a long way to go) :)
Many of you pointed me in the right direction during my early learning, and
I am very grateful for that. (I won=B9t try to name everyone because I=B9m
afraid that I=B9ll leave someone out)

I know it is not a big deal to many of you who are in shows all of the time=
,
but this is special for me.

I have a show opening on March 30th at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester,
with four other artists. Obviously, I will not make NCECA as I am doing a
final firing tomorrow and Saturday.

There is an article in Clay Times about the show.

This is my curator=B9s statement:

<<=B3Synergy, Ikebana & Clay Collaboration=B2

Just as the Japanese developed an art of the tea ceremony, and calligraphy,
an art of the brush, they developed an art of the flower. Ikebana is more
than flower arranging, it is, as some have described it, =B3Living Sculpture=B2

Several years ago, while attending a Garden Club of America Judging
workshop, it was brought to my attention by a few very experienced flower
arrangers that there are not many opportunities to view an Ikebana
exhibition, especially one in which the containers were made by the Ikebana
artists. I shared this with my colleagues, and the concept of Ikebana and
Clay Art, synergy was born.

In Ikebana, the shape, color and design of the container is in harmony with
the arrangement. Traditionally, Ikebana containers have been made of
naturally occurring materials, such as ceramics and metals. The container i=
s
not merely a receptacle to hold flowers. It completes the arrangement.

I have been fortunate enough to meet Ikebana artists who are also clay
artists. The purpose of this exhibit is to give the public an opportunity t=
o
see five artists integrate Ikebana and clay, showing our individual Ikebana
as well as ceramic style.>>

Thanks again to all for your encouragement and teaching.

Best
Beth