Kiku: The Art of the Japanese Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum, known as kiku, is perhaps the most revered of the fall-flowering plants in Japan. For centuries the secrets of its cultivation were carefully guarded. But during a five-year cultural exchange, The New York Botanical Garden learned the time-honored growing techniques and display styles to become the first garden outside of Japan to showcase the art of kiku in Imperial style. Discover for yourself the exquisite beauty of kiku—cascades of flowers, single plants with hundreds of flowers, and others with an enormous flower atop a single stem—as Kiku: The Art of the Japanese Chrysanthemum, an elaborate flower show and cultural exhibition, returns to the Botanical Garden.

Japan Society members receive $3 off adult admission!  Just present your membership card at the New York Botanical Gardens.

This cultural event will feature:

• Four styles of kiku on display in the Courtyards of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory: ozukuri (“thousand bloom”), ogiku (“single-stem”), and kengai (“cascades”), and, new this year, shino-tsukuri (“driving rain”).
• A new exhibition, The Chrysanthemum in Japanese Art, in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library gallery, depicting the use of the chrysanthemum as a visual motif in paintings, prints, textiles, and more. The 32 objects on display from October 18 to January 11, 2009, include a kimono, hanging scrolls, folding screens, and an array of household treasures and are on loan from exceptional collections of Japanese art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Mary Griggs Burke Collection of Japanese Art, and several private dealers and collectors.
• A towering bamboo sculpture by artist Tetsunori Kawana.
• Bonsai in the Conservatory’s Seasonal Galleries (through November 2) and in the Conservatory Courtyards (through November 16).
• An autumnal display of Japanese maples, conifers, and bamboo in the Conservatory Courtyards.
• Kiku and Cocktails from 6 – 8 p.m. on October 24 and 31 and November 7 and 14.
• Kiku for Kids, hands-on activities for families including a child-sized tea house, in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.
• A range of programming, including dance and music performances, demonstrations, workshops, lectures, and courses celebrating the chrysanthemum in Japanese art, life, and culture.
• Audio and guided tours.
• Kiku merchandise at Shop in the Garden.

More information: http://www.nybg.org/kiku08/
Tickets: http://www.nybg.org/visit_the_garden/tickets.php