Ikebana Today 46

I have been writing about the relationship between contemporary art and Ikebana. A key question is whether Ikebana can seek meaning through its contexts like contemporary art can. Probably there is no right answer to this question and there may be many answers.

One of the most important aspects of context is that it goes with critiques. An example is in academic discourses. A great number of PhD students every year study contemporary art for their thesis.
On the other hand, very few academic papers on Ikebana have been published. In terms of critiques, there is no comparison between Ikebana and contemporary art. It seems to be obvious that Ikebana cannot seek meanings like contemporary art does.

Nevertheless, I would like to seek the possibility of Ikebana being effective in the context of contemporary art.

This is one of the 2 works I made for the Wye River Project as part of the Lorne Sculpture 2016. I transformed my sculpture into Ikebana by adding flowers. While my sculpture demands viewers to use imagination to appreciate it, I feel my Ikebana is appealing more directly to the senses of the viewers. Compared to contemporary art, Ikebana may expect its viewers to be more passive. That was one of a few things I noticed this time.

http://www.shoso.com.au
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Wye River Project (4)

As a part of the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2016, Shoso Shimbo was commissioned to create artworks for Wye River and Separation Creek in the aftermath of the 2015 fires. Shoso created two sculptures from materials salvaged from the fire ravaged areas, symbolising rebirth and progress. 

http://www.shoso.com.au
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Wye River Project (3)

Dynamic Tranquility

Shoso Shimbo transforms his sculpture into an Ikebana work with vibrant Japanese drumming as back ground music. Special guests: Toshi Sakamoto & Wadaiko Rindo.
Free Foods & Drinks, Free Admission
When: 12:30 on 3 April 2016
Where: Wye River Beach, Victoria, Australia  

http://www.shoso.com.au 
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Wye River Project (2)

Work in progress: Week 3 (27 March 2016). Shoso will complete his works on 3 April 2016. Visit Wye River to see Shoso's works as part of the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2016.

Artist Statement 

This work is a tribute to the families and communities ravaged by the bushfires that raged through Wye River on Christmas Day 2015.

This work is a reminder that we are powerless before the full force of nature, something often forgotten in our civilised world. The fragility of our relationship with the environment is another theme running through this work, but more than anything it is the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and the certainty that new homes will rise from the ashes that I wanted to express with this work.

One of the main design feature of the work, the spiral shape, symbolizes the natural living energy that runs through all creation. It is a visualization of universal life: rebirth, growth, and progress.

Although fresh foliage and floral materials are small portion in the overall design, they create strong contrast with the burnt material and convey a message of rebirth.

Bio 

Shoso Shimbo is a certified teacher of Ikebana. His floral work was selected for the prestigious publication, International Floral Art in 2014/2015 & 2016/2017, Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium). He has won multiple awards including the Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

His sculptural works have been featured in some of the major contemporary art exhibitions including the Toyota Sculpture Exhibition, Lorne Sculpture, Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award Finalists Exhibition and the New Wave Art Festival at the NGV. His recent commissions includes a public work of art for the Archibald Award Exhibition 2015 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.   

Shoso has an MA (Monash), a Master of Fine Art (Monash) and PhD in Education (RMIT). He is also qualified as a garden designer (Japan Horticultural Society). He is a directer of International Society of Ikebana Studies and the floral art director of Mondopiero, and he teaches Japanese Aesthetics at RMIT short courses. 

http://www.shoso.com.au 
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Wye River Project (1)

"I have selected Shoso Shimbo to lead this project, creating sculptural forms over four weekends of the Biennale on the beach in Wye. Out of destruction will come beauty and new life. I encourage all to return to the area to see the project evolve through to completion on April 3rd. " 
Julie Collins, Curator, Lorne Sculpture Biennale. 

When: 12 March to 3 April 2016 
Where: Wye River, Victoria, Australia

I walked through the damaged area, which has been restricted due to the risk of asbestos in the first week. Please visit my Facebook page for more images. https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia
It is a physically demanding project, but I hope my work will contribute to the healing process for the community.

http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

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