Hiroki Ohara: “Ikebana” by the Headmaster of the Ohara School of Ikebana

Ikebana (, Japanese flower arranging) developed in the 16th century as a medium of refined artistic expression.  As an aesthetic system allowing infinite variation and experimentation, its fundamental principles of compositional balance, contrast, abstraction, and metaphor foreshadowed by several centuries the development of twentieth-century abstract art.  Assembling plant materials cut at precise stages of growth, bloom, and decay, the ikebana artist fashions a deceptively “natural” arrangement through artificial means.

On Monday afternoon, April 6th, the GSD will host a lecture-demonstration of ikebana technique led by Mr. Hiroki Ohara.  In addition to his role as the fifth-generational headmaster of the Ohara School of Ikebana, Hiroki Ohara is a practicing contemporary artist, whose large-scale, site-specific works have blurred the boundaries of ikebana, land art and performance art.  Please join us for what promises to be a lively event!

Sponsored by the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, the Loeb Library Materials Collection, and JapanGSD.

For accessibility accommodations, please contact the events office in advance at [email protected] or (617) 496-1143.

Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Public Programs Office at (617) 496-2414 or [email protected] in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for American Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance. Please note that the University will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.

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