Distilling nature: some connections between Ikebana and contemporary art

The history of Ikebana reveals influences in its development from external art forms and aesthetic attitudes. This project has investigated whether any connections exist between the current practice of Ikebana and contemporary art. Works by contemporary artists working with nature such as Hiroshi Teshigahara, Rosalie Gascoigne, Patrick Dougherty, Nils-Udo, Andy Goldsworthy and others were analyzed. The results of this investigation revealed that Ikebana today has some common attitudes in particular with assemblage, installation, and environmental art. The final chapter of this exegesis is a summary of the development of my work with Ikebana during the past four years. I have traced the influences of this survey on my own practice as an Ikebana artist with regard to aesthetic and theoretical issues.