I see a difference between creating Ikebana arrangements for private viewing and for exhibitions. Once it is intended to be seen by many people in my opinion it becomes a variety of show business (in a good sense of the word). So I try to add a bit of entertainment to my arrangements and to avoid being too serious.

For one of the recent exhibitions I have made a somewhat whimsical arrangement combining a mass of high heel shoes with  a white-pink-purple color gradient of Dahlias.

I like watching people passing by my arrangements. Always interesting to see what the reactions are and whether the desired effect is achieved. And yes, this time it worked! There were smiles, and curiosity, and of course occasional attempts to see how it is all holding together.

I was pleased when a journalist covering the exhibition asked my permission to use a picture of my arrangement for her article. She also wanted to know whether the arrangement had a name. It never occurred to me that you can name your Ikebana arrangements. But somehow a name just popped in my head when she asked. “The essence of a woman”.  I do not mean to be sexist. Shoes and pink flowers are not the most important part of our lives. But they do make some of us very happy. Besides it sounded like fun and well, it was the first thing which came to my mind.

I hope you find it fun too, let me know what you think. 

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