Updated at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007
Ikebana 'splendors' to bloom at Honolulu Hale
News Release
Hawai'i's top ikebana artists and students will next month herald spring's arrival with the "Splendors of Ikebana," an exhibition of colorful flower displays in all shapes and sizes in the courtyard of Honolulu Hale.The event is set for March 27 to 30.
Ikebana is a traditional Japanese art of flower arranging that has been practiced for centuries. The exhibition will demonstrate that in addition to flower arranging, ikebana is an expression of human emotion and connection with nature.
"Once again the serene beauty of the ikebana exhibition can be appreciated by the residents and visitors of Honolulu," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said in a news release. "The exhibition is a true complement to the spring season and we thank the participants for sharing these works of art."
Ikebana arrangements from seven different schools will be part of the exhibition. They include: Ikenobo, Kado Sangetsu, MOA Sangetsu, Ohara, Shofu Ryu, Sogetsu and Toin Misho. The exhibition will also include a special section of arrangements by children as young as 8.
"Splendors of Ikebana" will also include demonstrations of traditional and contemporary techniques of ikebana arranging at 10 a.m. March 28 and 30. The March 28 demonstration will be led by Elaine Arita, president of Ikebana International Honolulu Chapter 56. The March 30 demonstration will be delivered by Karen Bowman-Kirk, an instructor from the Sogetsu School.
"Splendors of Ikebana" is presented by the Ikebana International Honolulu Chapter 56 with support from the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts.
Exhibit hours are set for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Viewing is free and open to the public. For more information, call 523-4674.
