The vision of ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India in Bloom’ is the timeless appeal of flowers in art, and the role of art in promoting international relations.
Swiss Art Night, an annual cultural extravaganza, is one of Delhi’s most anticipated events. As Switzerland and India celebrate 75 years of bilateral relations and friendship, the event ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India In Bloom’ will showcase art and culture of both the countries, offering a rare immersive aesthetic experience for the guests with the renowned Swiss floral artist Philipp von Arx creating flower installations at the Swiss Embassy’s Residence Garden and Atrium.
A leading figure in floral craftsmanship, Philipp will work with his team of floral designers, Flowers to Arts, and Indian Floral Artists, Shreeram Kulkarni, Adarsh Suresh, as well as Bamboo Artist Sagar D. Singh, to blend the designs from the floral worlds of both the countries. This year’s celebration will place a special emphasis on sustainability all flowers used for the event will be obtained locally and recycled.
In this interview, Philipp von Arx talks about the vision behind ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India in Bloom,’ the timeless appeal of flowers in the world of art, latest floral trends, and the role of art in promoting international relations, among other things.
Excerpts
Q. What is the vision behind the ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India in Bloom’? Could you name a few highlights of what guests can expect from this year’s event?
A. This year marks 75 years of Swiss-Indian friendship. The ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India in Bloom’ at the Swiss Embassy in Delhi is going to be a very special evening to celebrate this historic milestone. The evening will celebrate friendship through the symbolism of flowers. The focus will be on the interplay between architecture and floral art. It will immerse guests in a different world for one evening -a world of flowers, scents, lights and shadows.
Q. Tell us about the timeless appeal of flowers in the world of art? In your experience, what emotions or messages can flowers convey in art?
A. Flowers and flower design is a centuries old craft that is practiced all over the world. Flower artists work with a material that needs a lot of care and attention to be in the best quality at the right moment. In the art world, flowers are like symbols that can mean a lot of different things. Different types of flowers, the way they are used, their colors, etc., convey different feelings and messages. They can show love, beauty, sadness, and a myriad of other emotions. Flowers are like a language that everyone understands, no matter where they are from or what time they live in.
Also, the beauty is, art with flowers is only for a limited time period. Of course, you can take photos or videos of it, however, unlike other art forms, photographs and videos cannot completely recreate the experience of viewing flower art. In a way, flowers are a beautiful symbol showing us that nothing is endless.
Q. How can you translate abstract inspiration into concrete floral designs? Tell us about some of the current floral trends that are captivating people around the world.
A. Any creative process begins with getting inspired. After that, just like in any art form, an idea is born. The ideas are then tested for technical possibilities. But the tricky part is actually making it happen. You see, flowers need to stay fresh and hydrated, so we have to plan carefully and choose the flowers depending on numerous factors, including environmental conditions.
As for current floral trends, I would say that every culture and region has its own trend. For instance, in Switzerland, a big trend is sustainability. Many customers want to know where the flowers have been produced—they prefer organic, fair trade, or local produce. A global and almost endless trend is the colors of the flowers. The variety and intensity will always fascinate people around the world.
Q. How did you go about uniting Swiss and Indian floral sensibilities at this event? What are the challenges in adapting floral art to Indian aesthetics?
A. We plan to combine Indian flowers with Swiss design for this event. The idea is to work with typical flowers from India. However, we want to use them in a new way. We will create flower clouds which float through the whole space. This is different from the usual way Indian flowers are used, which is very symmetrical and neat.
This event is a learning experience when it comes to using different types of flowers and making them fit in our plan. It needed a lot of thought about colors, textures, and how it would all look together. Our aim is to create a floral symphony using Swiss design and Indian flowers.
Q. Can you name some important milestones in your journey as a floral artist? What originally led you into the world of floral art?
A. I grew up in a family that has been in the flower business since 1802. My association with flowers runs deep. When I was 21, I won first place at the World Skills competition 2003. This was one of the most significant milestones in my life. It opened many doors for me. Since then, I have had the privilege to lead seminars and give professional presentations all over the world.
Q. How does teaching floral art at a Swiss florist school and in international seminars influence the creative aspects of your own work? What advice do you give to aspiring florists?
A. Teaching floral art at a Swiss florist school and in international seminars has had a profound impact on the creative aspects of my own work. For me, teaching is not merely a one-way process of imparting knowledge; it is a dynamic exchange where I often find myself learning just as much from my students. One of the most fascinating aspects is the exposure to various cultures and their unique perspectives on colour combinations and the symbolism of colors. These inputs influence my understanding and inspire my own floral creations. The key piece of advice I offer to aspiring florists is to remain open to new ideas and experiences.
Q. As Switzerland and India celebrate 75 years of bilateral relations, how do you see the contribution of “Swiss Art Night” to these celebrations? How do you see the role of art in promoting international relations?
A. The celebration of 75 years of bilateral relations between Switzerland and India is indeed a significant milestone, representing a strong foundation for continued collaboration and exchange between the two countries. The ‘Swiss Art Night: Switzerland India in Bloom’ celebrates this friendship. Art has a unique ability to transcend language and cultural barriers, bringing people together through shared emotions and experiences. In the context of the Swiss Art Night, the fusion of Swiss and Indian art creates new connections and perspectives, serving as a bridge between these two diverse cultures. This not only deepens the cultural understanding between the two nations but also paves the way for enhanced cooperation in various fields. In essence, the Swiss Art Night serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship and partnership between Switzerland and India.