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R E A D O N L I N E
21
What makes European floral
art unique?
First, let's explore what the European
style of floral art is—if there really is
such a thing. It is reflection, emotion
and transmission, and what makes
it different are all the differences.
e European style is a mixture of
the cultures of multiple European
countries. French floral art is very
different from German floral art,
and the Belgian style is completely
different from the Dutch style.
Differences are what makes European
floral art unique and give it its
strength. e Scandinavian style is
extremely interesting and current,
in view of the period we are going
through. e quantity of botanical
materials is reduced to give this style
more compressed, with a purity in
the lines and forms. e choice of
colors is also important. Everything
is not mixed, and the links of colors
are the basis (e.g., orange, salmon,
old pink and pink). With materials,
we like contradictions, such as mixing
aluminum wire with natural willow
branches, for example.
In Germany, the basic materials are
much more natural. Branches are
chosen regularly, and botanicals are
more related to the other materials.
Respect of line is essential. It
represents nature by nature; nothing
is ever forced. It is true that German
floral designers' work of structure can
appear blander in terms of color, but
they know how to put the flowers—
shapes, colors and textures—in value.
a maximum effect. It is a complex
work that requires a good reflection
before and during the realization.
What differentiates European floral
design is, of course, the choice of its
forms, the way in which the flowers
are worked. We can go from very
tight work—a floral compression—
to a floating and airy work with
fluidity and blur.
European floral design is a
set of styles.
European floral art can be so
diverse, so surprising, but there are
basic theoretical floral art styles
(decorative, vegetative, linear, parallel,
etc.), that we undeniably find in floral
works. In Belgium, for example, we
move toward a meticulous work,
