Interpreting line

July 24th 2019

The first meeting after the summer break, and we had good attendance.  18 members, including two new members were present.

The first order of business was to welcome the new members Ms Usha and Ms Luna to the Study Group.  It was a special moment to welcome Usha, a friend and student of our study group sensei, Late Ms Janaki.

Next, sensei Malathi gave the Third Grade teachers certificates to Senseis Dalley and Ambika.  Both expressed what an honour and special moment it was.

Sensei Dalley and Ambika received Third Grade  Teacher's certificates from Sensei Malathi!  Congratulations to them.

Sensei Malathi then proceeded with her demonstration, where she focussed on showing the significance of Line in ikebana and thereby talked about how to read Line before proceeding with the composition.

It can be Linear Form, linear mass, linear surface or simply Line. To read them as 'weak' or Strong'. Also how to strengthen weak Line or how to weaken strong Line.

To explain about Linear Form, she worked with a Basic Upright Style moribana, and encouraged
the members to verbalise the movement.  This was seen as ascending, inspiring, striving.

Other Japanese language students also joined in to observe

With the second Nagiere, sensei Malathi elaborated on the display of line (when the leaves are cleared), and
the effect of a slanting line as expressing moving, reaching.

Using a compote, the third composition focussed on Linear Mass.

Using lines bunched together, and with clear spaces between the massed leaves, the composition emphasised the line, and beautifully complemented the shape of the vase.  The lines on the dressina brought drama and movement below, while the carnations were used in a way to only add colour, with their lines being subsumed into the main line.

The final composition was used to demonstrated drooping Line and also Linear Surface

The members then proceeded to interpret line in the compositions.

Pushkala used circular movement in this arrangement, 

and linear movement in this one.

Chithra Rajan's composition in brown had the strong heavy brown branch balanced by the freshness and vitality of the green line.

Sensei Divya created  a dramatic composition with a strong
movement that could be verbalised as "snaking"?

Bhuvana's composition was a harmonious
blend of colour and line. 

Mohan used the lines of the umbrella plant to bring height to his composition. 

Jyotsna used wavering lines to complement and contrast the strong,
straight lines of the triangular vase.

Sensei Ambika attempted to use the line to verbalise "Leading".

Chitra Thiagarajan could be said to be expressing "Supporting, as
her lines all balanced each other

Chelvi used her horizontal line which seemed to express "Seeking" or "Exploring"?

Sensei Dalley used upward movement in her split composition.

Pushkala created a beautiful flowing line.

Sensei Molly also used upward lines, contrasting the brown with the green.

Mala used ixora to create a linear form.

Our new member Usha displayed linear form.

Delicious samosas, bondas and brownies were provided by Dalley and it was a fitting end to a satisfying workshop filled with learning.