In Japan women used to make small boat-baskets of flowers for good luck when their fishermen went out to sea, on their return, the boats would be in front with the flowers to tell the wives with the good news. "Flowers have been a language used to send messages throughout history says Sossi Mahoney a floral artist and interior designer. Inspired by freestyle Ikebana flower arrangement combined with various works by artists in Egypt, Mahoney was able to create a new concept. Japanese Ikebana literally means "flowers kept alive . What differentiates Ikebana from any other flower arrangement is the choice of plant, space composition, pots, the relationship between the plant with its environment and how the branches are placed. The Ikebana school dates back to the 15th century Buddha tradition of "beauty of nature offerings the brainchild of Buddha priest Ukenobo Senkei, who started the first Ikebana school named Ikebono. Inside Al-Hanager Theater, where Mahoney displayed her arrangements last week, you are transported to another world. Mahoney fused her Ikebana creations with paintings, pottery, Kufi script, music and jewelry designed by other artists to put together an art that reflects her. And her goal? "To bring harmony, satisfaction and relaxation, she says. Both her Middle Eastern roots and her extensive travels have influenced Mahoney's choice of material. This exhibit was inspired by the Egyptian environment complemented with a hint of Japan. Each piece is made up of a painting or work of art to which Mahoney adds accessories and flower arrangements as she sees fit. The contributing artists include Aida Abdel Karim, Hoda Lotfi and other foreign artists living in Egypt like Julie Klimentos. It takes up to four or five days to prepare each area of art Mahoney told The Daily Star Egypt. She explains that the main challenge she faced in setting up this exhibit was how to get women artists of diverse cultures, ages and interests to work together and agree to display their work in a new way. But her personal challenge was to inspire Egyptians to use Ikebana in their lives. "Anyone can do it; we all have the creative side of the brain, Mahoney says, "it just needs practice. The basic rule of Ikebana is to "let the flowers speak Mahoney says. Flowers have to face upwards, be separate from each other and be set in the Japanese triangle of the Ikebana boundaries where Heaven represents the highest point, Earth the shortest and the heavy man-in- the-middle goes in between, "I wanted to bring the work of women from different cultures and display it to show what women can do. Mahoney adds that women were denied the right to learn and practice Ikebana in the older days, and now we should be proud of their work. "March is also the month of women in the world, a good time to celebrate this work.
