Day 4 - Chris Lim demonstrates

Feb 29th

The Chennai Study Group was a relaxed bunch this morning, and the mood of anticipation was quite different from the nervous energy of the previous morning.

We looked forward to Singapore's Christopher Lim's demonstration, and he did not disappoint with drama, speed and creative flair.


He was helped by an efficient team comprising some members of the Delhi chapter as well as a support staff when muscle was needed!

A colourful start

The composition away from the spotlight.  Every arrangement that was done, would be moved to a side table for us to view later.

In this second arrangement, we learnt how to quickly balance and stabilise materials, and
how key the technique of binding  is.

For his third piece, Lim used the woven mats found in our markets, which seem to have fascinated him.

He actually used the cutter to make "holes" in the mats through which the material passed into the vase.

The final composition, with the mats providing a linear mass, balanced by the colours of the crotons.

We quickly moved to the fourth piece, with a large gorgeous urn vase.  the black painted design of the vase was mirrored in the driftwood used.

The gold painted Monstera leaves were an interesting use, with the bold hydrangeas for drama.

Composition five again illustrated the process of balancing and stabilising material.  The top heavy banana stem was
stabilised by lashing firmly with the rather light wooden container.  The Asia lilies and the pine branches together made for an interesting composition.

Chris Lim regaled his audience with stories of cutting the kumquat branches from
Mrs Kantha Bukhari's garden.  he was delighted to be able to use this material as
it is very expensive back in Singapore.

He then speedily moved on to a different kind of composition, without kenzn or vase.  These bleached branches were balanced against each other, and under his instruction the ladies deftly bound them together.

In a few minutes, he had created a structure with the branches.  The maidenhair fern was then expertly draped through, and the roses and anthuriums placed to create a table floral piece.  Chris Lim explained how this could be made to last long by spraying the fern with a hair lacquer spray, to prevent the leaves from falling, and the flowers could keep changing as per the colour requirements.


Using the bending technique that both he and Iemoto Akane demonstrated, the cypress branch was given a lovely flow in this composition.  The white lines on the vase complemented by the peach blossoms.

The team then moved to the side table for this composition with large palm leaves

The large hanging heliconias adding drama and line.

The final composition


A basket-shaped vase with handle transformed with this arrangement with
painted leaves and creeper.

Combining of vases increases the scale of a composition.  
After eleven large compositions, the stage was cleared for the final large stage piece.

We witnessed the creation of such a large piece from the placing of the white rectangles to the manipulation of the large branch material, their wiring and stabilising and the placement of the flowers and fresh material.

Lim directing the team.


View from the right side

The straight view

View from left of stage
And so the demonstration ended, with Chris Lim acknowledging the team and earning a huge applause.





As Sensei Meenakshi said, "He worked in a systematic manner showcasing how one can keep  audience  alive and involved. The use of bright material adds to it. The arrangement i loved was the one with the cane mats."

Sensei Prerana had this to say, "This was also a show which can reach out to a diverse audience who does not understand Ikebana. And he was a master at that.I really liked some of his arrangements a lot."

Thank you Chris Lim and let us hope we see you again!

Comments

Jrao said…
Thanks Ambika for documenting each day's events in such vivid detail, and including so many pictures. Great way to keep the convention and celebrations ever fresh and to see each arrangement with a new perspective, learn so much and enjoy the beauty of Ikebana. Look forward to many more events
Unknown said…
Very interesting feature of the demonstration with so many photos. Love all of the designs created. I wonder how long did he take to do all these on stage? The finale work is really a master piece of art. I would like to do something similar to his wonderful idea, not crowded with flowers and using simple materials to give such a long lasting impact. Would love to invite him to our chapter !! you all are so blessed to have have him to showcase his work!!
Keep it up Chennai Chapter!!!!
Sandra Josephine said…
Such an amazing designs and wonderful showcase by showing all the works with photos . A Great idea. Saw his works in Taiwan and the speed that he created for each Ikebana work is just incredible. Fantastice talent and excellent demonstrator. He alway make some jokes on stage which brighten up the whole show.Nobody falls asleep during his demonstration. I have been following him on his Ikebana journey and it alway amazed me that his Ikebana works are always so different. Pls share more of his works on your web-site We would love to have him to conduct classes / lessons for our group> Cheer to all of you Delhi for sharing his works of Ikebana!!!!!!
Amer Chandi said…
Thank you so much for sharing and showing the activities of your chapter. I am particularly keen in seeing the Ikebana works and love your demonstrator which you have feature in your web-site. He is from Singapore ??? and many of our ladies follow his works in facebook which is really an incredible Ikebana artist. You all are so blessed to have him come to your chapter to showcase his wonderful works of Ikebana. I just simply love his style and many of us copy some of his works ( I know it's a shame to copy but its one way of learning I reckon ). Pls do let us know if you were to invite Mr Chris Lim again to Delhi so that we can make a trip there to see this charming ikebana artist
Amy Mantis ( USA ) said…
Love your web-site with full of photos and write up. Keep it coming as its very informative to all of us.I really like your invited demonstrator Mr Chris Lim, ( have heard alot about him and seen his works which is quite amazing and have many unsual concept of Ikebana, especially using the whole batch of Banana.I think he is one of the most amazing demonstrator that i have come across so far )I hope to visit your Chapter when he next come again as I visit India quite often due to my husband's work.
Maria Choong Hong Kong said…
Great web site your chapter have and nice photos too. Keep the information coming and its so lovely to read about your activities especially the one with Mr Christopher's demonstration. Such an inspiration to see all the designs he created. I also notice that he travel alot to India too.Am amazing demonstration that he has given to your chapter
Mrs Nikki Kystz Belgium said…
one of the best chapter web-site that I have come across I must say. so much information and photos too Your chapter is very active in promoting Ikebana. And I especially like the arrangement of Mr Christopher's demonstration. Wonderful creation he got. I have also check out on his works and I notice he travel alot to India. I would be most honor to catch him live on stage! Excellent works he comes up with. Thank you very much for showing so many photos! Keep it up ladies ( and gentleman ?? )