'is it possible to be a revolutionary and like flowers?'

Camille Henrot, 'Est-il possible d'être révolutionnaire et d'aimer les fleurs', 2012

i·ke·ba·na /ikəˈbänə/ : The art of Japanese flower arrangement, with formal display according to strict rules.

~ This project is a translation of an entire library into ikebana. According to Japanese tradition, ikebana was originally created to “console the soul”. The form of a piece of ikebana, its colours and the choice of flowers used constitutes a form of language. The function of consoling and language – two aspects shared by books and flowers – are the starting point.

So each piece of ikebana represents the works chosen by the artist following a principle of translation the rules of which have been reinvented, using the evocative power of the Latin and common names of the flowers, the names designed for their commercial exploitation, their pharmacological power or even the history of their travels. Hence the ikebana piece that pays homage to the Discours sur le colonialism [Essay on Colonialism] is made up of a palm tree branch (alma armata) and an upturned tulip (Tulip retroflexa).

The thoughts produced by literature, philosophy or anthropology are an integral part of our daily lives. But, in some ways, they are also “decorative objects”, in this context meaning that they create a frame, a stimulating and comforting environment, just as a library can be. 

From books to flowers, the project highlights our prejudices about what is offensive or inoffensive, about what belongs to the arts of the intellect and to those of the everyday. ~

"The young artist initiates herself into the culture of the ikebana and offers the Palais de Tokyo an ephemeral and delicate work, at once graphic and literary. Each ikebana is partnered with a quote or famous book title, which is like a translation in flowery language ... By combining the collection of flowers and bibliophilic, the artist develops thoughts about the language that overcome the traditional dichotomy between intellectual art and decorative art." via aqnb