Integrated Ikebana

Integrated Ikebana...

Greater Chicago Ichiyo Ikebana's last workshop focused on integrated ikebana where two members combined to form one large exhibition style arrangement. We paired up in teams and then began to select our containers. All members had brought two containers and placed them on a table. We mixed and matched to find a combination that had similar qualities - color- shape- size.

Gaby and I were teamed up. We picked one Nageire (tall) and one Moribana (low) container that were similar in color. We also decided we would like to incorporate a nested set of baskets to use as a kubari to support our materials.

For line material we used a golden lucodendron, for color - tulips and yellow iris, and camellia foliage for depth - all warm colors.

Working together was fun. We each had our input and you can see the result below covering a 6 foot table.

Integrated ikebana - team work!

Each design needed to look completed on its own. Similar, but not necessarily the same materials were chosen for each design. The designs "talked" to each other, not compete with each other.

I completed the moribana half of the design.
The tulip petals were reflexed to expose more color and create
added interest.

These are some of the other completed designs:

Switch up - a tall arrangement in a low container with a low arrangement in the tall one.

Budded branched are featured in this combination.

Two tall black metal containers with flowing weeping willow
combine with a low design in a black container featuring a ball of willow
and a metal grid.