IKEBANA PERFORMANCE

Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders, 2024

Ikebana Performance | Installation, sound piece, mixed media, and collected materials, size variable

Artist residency program by Ma Umi Residencies collaboration with partner PF25 cultural projects

Ma Umi Residencies, Ishigaki, Japan

Ikebana performance Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders by Hedy Leung, Ma UMI residencies Ishigaki Japan
Ikebana performance Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders by Hedy Leung, Ma UMI residencies Ishigaki Japan
Hedy Leung’s Ikebana performance featuring medicinal herbs and nocturnal pollination elements
Hedy Leung’s Ikebana performance featuring medicinal herbs and nocturnal pollination elements

Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders is an exploration that synthesises the ancient wisdom of ethnobotanicals with the intricate ecosystem of nocturnal pollination. The residency program centers on our symbiotic bond with nature, drawing inspiration from island culture, ethnobotany, medicinal herbology, and nocturnal pollination ecosystems. Rooted in ethnobotanical knowledge, islander traditions honour the therapeutic and spiritual roles of plants.

This ikebana-base project weaves performance and community workshops with a narrative connecting humanity, nature, and the therapeutic essence of medicinal plants. The Ikebana performance becomes an organic tribute to the wisdom passed down through generations, celebrating the connection between humans, plants, and the ecosystems we share. Weaving diverse cultural elements into Ikebana, each plant and material chosen for its medicinal significance and cultural resonance. The performance becomes a celebration of shared stories and traditions inspired by ethnobotanical knowledge. This fosters a visual and conceptual dialogue across cultural landscapes, expanding our understanding of the interrelations between nature, culture, and wellness.

Found objects and sound piece setup in ikebana performance-installation, PF25 cultural projects
Found objects and sound piece setup in ikebana performance-installation, PF25 cultural projects

Photos © Valerie Portefaix