The Green Panel
- Published: 9/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Realtime
A journey to the Balinese and Thai worlds of floral art will reveal to you an endless array of tropical floral and plant materials being employed in the creation of their art. Not only are the coconut and banana very high in socio-economic value to people of the tropics, but they also prove to be indispensable materials in the fabrication of their floral art.
In Thailand, however, there is yet another plant material that is used in Thai floral art, especially in making krathong, or floating floral offerings. Though only introduced to Thailand in 1901 from Indonesia, in the reign of King Rama V, the water hyacinth has quickly made Thailand its home and now appears floating along the waterways across the Kingdom.
Forget the traditional usage of water hyacinth as the floating base for krathong, in today's floral display, it is dressed anew in contemporary flair. The stems of the water hyacinth are taking fresh new form as a green tower to display tropical blooms.
To begin, I cut the stem of water hyacinth into pieces of the length that is slightly less than the width of the metal frame. When a quantity of the cut water hyacinth stems is prepared, I use needles attached with thin strings of wire to pierce diagonally through both sides of the stems, approximately one inch from the ends. Then, I tie both strings on the top part of the metal frame and let it hang freely. Continuing to add cut water hyacinth stems, one by one, I gradually create a green panel that hangs nicely within the metal frame.
Individual vanda blossom is then placed onto the water hyacinth panel in the desired rhythm. Stems of water hyacinth hug the stems of vanda, holding it to the position. Our green panel of water hyacinth now boasts the beauty of purple vandas to all.
TIPS
1. Wooden frames of smaller sizes can also be used for similar displays.
2. Cut bamboo culm is a more permanent alternative for the panel.
3. Two floral panels can be placed on both sides of an entrance to welcome guests upon their arrival.
STEP-BY-STEP
1. Cut the stem of water hyacinth into pieces at a length that is slightly less than the width of the metal frame.
2. Use a needle attached with a thin string of wire to pierce diagonally through both sides of the stems.
3. Tie both strings to the top part of the metal frame and continue to add water hyacinth stems until complete.
4. Place vanda blossom onto the water hyacinth panel.
5-6. Stems of water hyacinth hug the stems of vanda blossom, holding it to the position.
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