Manar Elbaz
DUBAI: Japanese flower designer Keita Kawasaki held his first workshop in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue on Sunday, where he demonstrated his own unique designs as guests enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.
Kawasaki is a prominent figure in the modern Japanese flower industry, with around 40 years of experience. His innovative and unique vision earned him various awards in design contests.
The session took place at Âme Artistic Studio, which also held a cherry blossom Ikebana session in March. The artist began the session by thanking the participants for attending, which included Consul General of Japan in Dubai, IMANISHI Jun, followed by a quick video introduction on Kawasaki.
For 90 minutes, the floral artist demonstrated his original compositions, offering insights on different types of leaves and flowers. He showcased techniques suitable for beginner artists to try at home and for advanced artists to enhance their skills.
Additionally, participants followed along with Kawasaki’s tutorial to create a simple flower design and were given the artist’s products to recreate some designs at home.
Following the session, the artist told Arab News Japan that he is honored to bring part of Japanese culture to Dubai. “It is my first time in Dubai. People are very nice and kind,” he said. “Flowers area symbol of peace. There aren’t many flowers in Dubai so I’m happy to be asked to introduce this part of Japanese culture.”
He shared that, despite the lack of flower culture in Dubai, he was pleasantly surprised by the audience’s response to the session. “People in Dubai are understanding of traditional and modern flower designs. I think they enjoy it, so maybe I will host another demonstration in the future.”
The event was organized by INSPIRE LAB, a company dedicated to bringing Japanese talents to the Middle East, particularly in the field of wellness. “We picked Kawasaki because I always believe that nature can help humans regarding their mental and physical health,” Ryoko Kuwata, CEO of INSPIRE LAB, Arab News Japan. “The core message is that human beings really need to connect to themselves and nature.”
“Kawasaki is really special because he is always connecting with the universe through his work. When I met him, I realized he is a true messenger of the flower culture,” she added.
The floral artist demonstrates his designs all over the world. Next month, he will be demonstrating his art in Hokkaido. His work can be accessed on his website.