Botanical designer Ehara Rie has collaborated with textile designer Tsugekuwa Yosuke to present the "Botanical Vase" exhibition, which showcases plants as art, in the art gallery space on the second floor of the main building of the Isetan Shinjuku store. The exhibition runs until May 27th.
The botanical vases on display this time are canvases designed by Tsugekuwa that incorporate vases, allowing for the display of flowers. The exhibits include the "Vase Series" (5,400 to 6,000 yen) and the "Hanging Series" (5,800 yen). The vase series features paintings of "crane-neck vases" and "pistol barrels" on the canvas, with the flowers appearing as if they are arranged on the canvas. The hanging series features canvases painted with designs like bird's nests and clownfish, with air plants (plants that can grow without pots or soil) arranged to match the designs.
Each series comes with its own dedicated flowers and can be purchased as a set with a vase. The flowers, such as hydrangeas, Christmas roses, and onion roses, are in bright green, creating a vibrant and cheerful space in contrast to the monotone vases.
"I'd be happy if even people who don't normally arrange flowers or who don't often come into contact with flowers could enjoy them casually, like a work of art," says Ehara.
Last year, Ehara held the "Flower Seller Who Doesn't Sell Flowers" exhibition. In addition to exhibiting botanical art, he collaborated with Tsukukuwa, ceramic artist Minoru Suzuki, apparel designer Akiko Negishi, and accessory brand "PUPUTIER," proposing works that connect flowers and plants with people and space, and received positive reviews. The decision to open a store at Isetan was made through an introduction by the art director of the exhibition, who knows an Isetan buyer.
Ehara, CEO of RE flower, is a botanical designer who designs spaces for people, plants, and more, and is also involved in a wide range of activities, including office design and crowdfunding. He says, "In the future, I want to create works that combine IT and flowers, and realize dynamic works that allow people and flowers to communicate interactively." He envisions talking to flowers and having them react using sound-sensitive technology. The day may soon be upon us when "static flowers" that soothe people are transformed into "dynamic flowers" that speak to us.
