“Hakobana 2024” – A huge flower arrangement art project created by everyone
Following on from 2023, this year Mika Otani again created a floral installation at the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
Hakodate’s flower, “Hakobana,” is completed when people who visit and live in Hakodate arrange flowers grown in the city.
Last year, Mika arranged 1,000 alstroemeria flowers together with her guests. This year, it’s Gerbera flowers! The main attraction this year will be colorful Gerberas, lovingly grown by the flower farmers of Nanae Town. 60 varieties of Gerberas will be blooming together.
First, we made the white frame. We used two types of white-colored square timber.。
Use an impact driver to fasten the timber together.
People are often surprised, but when I create these large pieces, it’s practically carpentry work. I make heavy use of electric saws and impact drivers. I have a vague idea of the shape in my head, but I basically decide the shape on the spot.
Ikebana is said to be “in the place,” and the final shape is decided by feeling the atmosphere and appearance of the place, as well as how the work will look.
When deciding on the shape, I need someone to support the timber, so I can’t do it alone. With my apprentice’s support, I take a step back and continue creating while looking at the overall composition.
The two central structures have been created. I will create similar ones on the left and right later.
White bleached palm leaves are added. Bleached palm leaves are large palm leaves that are first dried and then bleached. The white color is a bleached color, not a colored color.
The bleached palm tree instantly brings movement to the piece.
I wanted guests to feel as if they had wandered into another world and were enveloped in mysterious flowers as soon as they entered the venue, so I added a white composition around the two pillars supporting the warehouse.
Once the design is complete, we’ll place the floral foam. We used a floral foam with a pop of color to match the gerberas and create a pop atmosphere.
From here, 700 visitors are going to arrange 700 flowers.
First, I arranged the first one as a commemoration.
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Watching the visitors happily discussing where to go and taking commemorative photos, it was truly a joy for us to watch as well.
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I appeared on FM Iruka radio and were featured on NHK Hokkaido, and I think everyone, including me, in Hakodate had a great time.
Thank you so much to everyone who came.
I definitely want to go again next year! See you then!
