June 7, 2008

Ensuring a perfect balance
Twin-core ikebana arrangement creates a unitary effect, writes Hema Vijay
Seen as one: Ikebana can be used a pair to create a unitary effect.

It is a twin core, where you can read two as one and one as two. This particular twin-core ikebana arrangement rooted in plant material leads our thoughts into philosophic material… concepts like dual self, virtual reality and so on.
"The shape of these Sri Lankan ceramic vases inspired me to use them as a pair", says Sogetsu Ikebana teacher Malathi Pandurang.

Marked split
While the inner curving outlines of the two vases complement each other to create a unitary effect, it can also be read as a marked split. The perfect balance between the two vases enables them to be read as one, though they are two.

Two kinds of plant material have been used too. The solid and vivid heliconia and the cloudy and fragile limoneum flowers.

Rocklike
"It is a very simple composition, actually. After putting the two vases together it looked too solid and rock-like, so I tempered it with a cloud of tiny limoneum flowers. And to complement the container, I used solid looking heliconia flowers", Malathi explains.

As Malathi Pandurang points out, the possibilities of working with two vases are endless.

You can place the vases one behind the other, at an angle, etc, and accordingly opt for different kinds of plant material. For instance, you can create a linear composition, using a tall slender vine or sturdy zigzagging branch and bunch up a mass of vividly coloured chrysanthemums or alstromeria over it.

Grown widely in Ooty, these flowers are available with florists.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008060750040200.htm&date=2008/06/07/&prd=pp&