A show of phytocosmetics will be held in Vitebsk

A palette of seeds and berries. Is it possible? "Perhaps," the masters of floristic collage will answer you: a portrait made of flowers and berries, a still life made of shells and sawdust, a landscape made of poplar fluff.

Last year, a joint exhibition of Russian and Belarusian artists working in the genre of floristic collage and a charity master class for children were held in Vitebsk. They were organized by the International Creative Association of Phytocollagists "Florissima" (Moscow) in cooperation with the People's Club of Floristics Enthusiasts "Anyuta" (Vitebsk) at the cultural and historical complex "Golden Ring of Vitebsk City "Dvina". This year, Russians and Belarusians will have another exhibition, which will open on March 5 in Vitebsk, and then continue in the cities of the Union State.

We asked the president of the International Creative Association of Phytocollagists "Florissima", Inna Makeeva, to tell us about what phytocollage is.

– Our traditional exhibition, which we called "The Stranger," takes place in the spring and, of course, is dedicated to love and female beauty, – she says. – And each exhibition has its own focus.

This time – "The Stranger. The Thaw". We will open the exhibition in Vitebsk, continue in Grodno and Mogilev. And we will complete the cycle of spring exhibitions in the village of Vyatskoye, Yaroslavl Region – in a unique open-air museum complex. We will present all existing techniques of floristic collage. This year, "Florissima" and the "Anyuta" club will jointly showcase costumes made from natural materials for the first time. These are historical and stylized national costumes created by children's additional education groups under the guidance of masters.

– Can a person who cannot draw master floristic collage?

– Collage can be the first step towards creativity. This is confirmed by the examples of our artists. If a person is afraid to pick up a pencil or brush, they should try their hand at floral collage. There are techniques that do not require knowledge of the basics of painting. It is important for the desire to create to be born in the soul. And then nature itself guides the person's hand. Having laid talent in his soul, it will also reveal it. With the help of natural materials, one can achieve lines and volumes that cannot be obtained with paints. In recent years, children's groups of additional education have become members of our association, and children show great interest in floral collage.

– Where did floral collage come from in our countries?

– This is a young but already popular trend in floristry. One of the first organizations engaged in this art form was registered in February 1960. In the Soviet Union, there were clubs of floristry enthusiasts who also engaged in collages. The oldest club, "Nature and Creativity," was founded in Moscow on February 14, 1960. The Vitebsk club "Anyuta" also has a rich history. In the 1980s, Friedhelm Raffel in Germany proposed classifying collages by nine techniques. At the same time, volumetric techniques appeared, which gave new impetus to the development of collage. And thanks to continuity and the creation of "Florissima," the development of collage has progressed by leaps and bounds.

Among our masters, the terra technique is particularly popular. If you look at a work in this technique under electric light, it is perceived normally. But turn off the light and light a fireplace or candle – and a magical play of shadows begins! The movement of live fire makes the image "work" and creates a feeling of coziness and the presence of nature. Working with natural materials promotes relaxation and relieves stress.

– What is the value of cooperation with phytocollage artists from Belarus for you?

– I am originally from Orsha, Vitebsk region. Our association also includes other artists from Belarus. It was they who suggested that we organize an exhibition at the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival. The success of that exhibition and the huge interest of Belarusians in collage inspired us. We highly appreciate the benevolent attitude of both our Belarusian colleagues and the authorities responsible for culture – the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus. But our main connoisseurs are the exhibition visitors.

Tatyana Kutarenkova, "Narodnaya Gazeta"