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Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Exhibition 2018

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by Tony Dyer (subscribe)

I've made it to my life's goal - the old age pension. Now I write for fun. Hope you enjoy reading.

Event: 18/08/2018 - 19/08/2018

In ikebana flowers are in everything

Sogetsu, Ikebana, Queensland, Exhibition, 2018, Botanic Gardens, Toowong

In days of old, alchemists sought to, among other things, transform lead into gold. We all know how that turned out. Now we have something even more amazing and, unlike alchemy, it really works. It is ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. The word ikebana means "to make flowers live" and is an artistic way of life that assists in enriching the mode of your being and the concept of your environment with the help of all the glories of plant life.

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This magic will take place before your very eyes at Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland's annual exhibition at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong on Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 August, 2018 from 10.00am until 4.00pm on both days.

The official opening will be performed by the Consul General of Japan, Ms Keiko Yanai at 10.15 am on Saturday in the Auditorium.

Admission to the Exhibition is $4.00 per person.

The theme for this year's exhibition, The Energy of Sogetsu, will present an opportunity for members of the Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Inc. to display the unique and distinctly different style ikebana presents in contrast to Western floral artistry.

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You'll see how ikebana, is much more than arranging flowers in a container. True ikebana creates statements of originality through expression by applying distinct rules of construction using inert and living plant materials. Any plant material may be used. For example, withered leaves, seed pods, branches, etc. are valued as highly as flowers in full bloom.

Ikebana enthrals and delights people of all ages around the world with its asymmetry and use of empty space along with the harmony within the materials, the container and the setting.

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There are many different schools, or styles, of iIkebana in Japan. Sogetsu is one of the more modern schools, being founded in Japan in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara. The school's philosophy is that ikebana is best when it is enjoyable and creative and not bound by the rules of classical styles and copying patterns. The Sogetsu School believes anything can be used as material and displayed anywhere.

The Sogetsu School style of ikebana was introduced to Australia by Norman Sparnon following his studies in Japan under Sofu Teshigahara. The first classes were held in Brisbane in 1963 and Norman Sparnon travelled around Australia teaching the wonderful art of Sogetsu ikebana for many years.

Since then, Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Inc. has become a branch of the Sogetsu Teachers' Association in Japan, certified to teach the curriculum set at Sogetsu School Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Inc. has a very active group in Brisbane with members who have in the past been involved with the ABC Gardening Expo, and displayed arrangements in the David Jones store and at the Queensland Museum. For many years the School has had a long association with the Queensland Art Gallery with arrangements being displayed there on a weekly basis. Some members independently hold small exhibitions or display ikebana in other public places.

The annual Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet many of Brisbane's Sogetsu practitioners. Join in and get to understand how you could also enjoy this Japanese art during many of the demonstrations and hands-on classes available during the exhibition.

To gain first-hand knowledge on how these works of art are created, there will be free ikebana demonstrations daily at 10.30 am.

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There will be individual and group arrangements on display by pupils and teachers of Sogetsu Ikebana. Qualified teachers will be taking guided tours of the exhibition and explaining the art form on display at 11.30am and 2.30pm daily.

There will be daily hands-on classes held at 1.30pm. The cost for these classes is $5.00. The classes are designed to provide participants with a basic understanding of Sogetsu iIkebana fundamentals and some of the ways in which you can use plants and materials creatively.

Ikebana containers and related materials will be on sale from 11.30 am each day. Purchase of these items will give you some inspiration in creating your own arrangements at home. To keep your strength up, tea and coffee, along with some tasty homemade goodies will be on sale.

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Take advantage of this opportunity to view and understand a most tranquil Japanese arts activity. It may inspire you to begin your growth as an artist of the ikebana art form once you realise how to access the support of a dynamic group of teachers and practitioners.

To find out more about this remarkable ikebana exhibition at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium and for more general information on Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Inc., look up the web page here, or make contact through the web site contact page here, or check out the organisation's Facebook and Instagram pages.