Assignments Interflora World Cup - Araik Galstyan, Armenia
The first event, Designers Choice is themed "Flowers on the Orient". Contestants will complete a design up to 1.2 metres deep and wide and 2.25 metres high within 2 hours.
On the same day they will have their artistic flair tested again with a "Surprise Item" which they will complete in just over an hour. This is an exciting test of how spontaneous these designers from around the world can be with only 15 minutes to view the various items presented to them and create something amazing.
Flowers on the Orient
First of all, I would like to say that before thinking about all my competition entries, I naturally tried to find out as much as I could about China. Then I understood that it's a country of philosophers and unsolved, enigmatic symbols. The idea for the work "Flowers of the Orient" somehow came about all by itself. In my work, egg and oval cocoon-shaped fruit is a symbol of the origin of life, in which millions of emotions exist and break free, as expressed in bright colours.
I knew that there were five flowers that are held in high regard in China, which symbolise luck and happiness. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of autumn, life without worries, and joy. The sacred lotus is a symbol of summer, unblemished purity and comfort. The magnolia and orchid symbolise love and tenderness. Incidentally, I used orchids in my work "Pearl of the Orient". But my favourites are peonies. They are called the "king of flowers" in China and are a symbol of spring, love, wealth and honour. I nearly always use peonies the whole year round when I'm at shows. I just love working with them.
I hope this ultra-modern, fantastical, striking and bright work never becomes staid and continues to evoke a whole sea of positive emotions and joy to the people who look at it. As far as I am concerned, this theme is very close to my heart.
When developing it, I tried to combine elements that do not seem to go together: wealth and bright colours with restrained and elegant shapes. Overall what I tried to do for "Flowers of the Orient" was to make it scream out about shape, colour, moods, etc.
Surprise Item - Shanghai Tang
Assignment: Create within the time allowed an in store display for the famous Shanghai Tang Clothing and Accessories Store. Your design should reflect the vibrancy and contemporary ambience of this retail outlet. You do not have to use all of the materials provided, you may decide not to use some of the items at all.
