admin On novembre - 2 - 2011


Simon Lycett is the most important floral artist all over the World, with clients like the British Royal Family and lots of artistic events.
Not to be surprised for Rome Film Festival 2011 Simon J Lycett Ltd have been commissioned to design the Red Carpet backdrop on the theme of “Punks and Patriots”, by critic Jonathan Romney.
Born and brought up in Warwick, Simon has been fascinated by flowers since he was seven years old and feels very lucky that he is able to work with them, loving the buzz of creating dreams and magical settings within a world where everything’s possible and the word “no” never figure.
Since 1993, Simon and his dedicated team have been proud to create fabulous flower decorations for every type of event, from modest parties to decadent dinners and magical weddings the world over. His love of flowers and infectious enthusiasm combined with a desire to innovate ensures Simon’s reputation as Britain’s finest florist.
We met him at the Festival for a short chat on his incredible art.

– Creating art with flowers and gardens: let us know more about your art and the process behind.

Creating art using natural plant material is hugely rewarding as well as very challenging.

Apart from the obvious aspects of the transient nature of using cut flower and plant material, there is also the seasonality, something which I exploit as much as possible. I like people to be able to discern that our decorations are created at a certain time of year, by the materials we use. It saddens me if a summer bride wishes to carry tulips, or a winter party is to be decorated with peonies! Sure with the wonders of modern technology, and transport systems shrinking the world, we are able to obtain virtually any flower at almost any time of the year, but like foods, out of season and forced plants and flowers always lack the soul and strength of their bolder and more beautiful seasonal cousins.

– You’ve created for lots of clients, also for the British Royal Family: what about these particular works?

We are deeply privileged that over the past 20 plus years we have worked on a whole host of events, and for an incredible list of clients. Within the world of film, we creating the flower decorations upon the sets of many many films, from Where Angels Fear To Tread and 101 Dalmatians, to arranging every bloom on the film Four Weddings and A Funeral . The annual BAFA film awards dinner in London have featured our work for the past10 yrs and we are often required to create decorations for film premiers.

Another important and deeply satisfying aspect of our work is decorating private parties, weddings and dinners. The marriage ceremonies of David and Victoria Beckham, the wedding reception at Windsor for HRH the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and a private dinner for HM The Queen and the crowned heads of the world, for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

– “Punks and Patriots“: the Uk flag is the symbol of the “patriots” and the rework on it of the “punks”, maybe?
The anti establishment punk ethos was my inspiration in creating the abstract interpretations of the union flag, and I love the idea of using such humble but beautiful materials as apples and cabbages in its creation. The positioning of the installation was also a major influence, as I wanted the design to have a translucency to allow the beautiful olive-tree-planted bank behind to become a part of the display. At night the apples and cabbages are framed by rusting and recycled metals and appear to hover in mid air surrounded by olive branches.
My vision is of a series of vast, deconstructed British flags, created using mixed media to include reclaimed metal and steel and with “living” accents provided using fruit and vegetables to give a slightly irreverent and also a light-hearted feel. The harmony of disharmony, so characteristic of the eclectic Punk era, will be evoked by this representation of an anti-establishment flag!


– What about your personal idea on the evolution of the last decays of British culture and society? Do you think that art can only show it or also change the world (like the punkers in the last ’70s thought)?
Art is a wonderful medium for influencing society and in turn influence may breed change. I believe that society really does reap what it sows and I find it heartening that there seems much more social awareness now than in the aggressive Eighties and Nineties. Art, be it music, theatre, sculpture, painting, floristry and film all play a very important part in shaping, and being shaped by, many generations across the world.

– Floral design: a contemporary art. Would you explain how to be an artist in this specific art-section?
Floral design is a much neglected aspect of contemporary art, mainly because the work of floral artists is deeply under-valued by the population at large. Many people will only really encounter floral art at large scale events such as the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in London, but actually it is practiced on a small scale in almost every town and city in the world. Much of it is pedestrian and unoriginal but there are wonderfully rewarding flashes of inspiration to be seen throughout Europe and beyond.

www.simonlycett.co.uk

by Ilaria Rebecchi

 

 

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