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Longwood’s
famed horticultural expertise is evident throughout the acres
of indoor conservatories. A 7-foot- tall pagoda covered in blooming mums resides in the
Main Conservatory, new giant mum baskets fashioned into the
shape of Lotus flowers hang in the Exhibition Hall, and more
than 20,000 chrysanthemums trained into colorful
cascades, curtains, towering 6-foot-tall specimens, tiny
bonsai, and “thousand bloomers” await around every turn.
The
history of the Chrysanthemum Festival is the subject of an
exhibit in Longwood’s elegant Music Room. Enjoy a
behind-the- scenes look at how Longwood’s talented gardeners
grow those spectacular mums into amazing shapes and take a
look back at some of the dazzling displays of previous
festivals.
Weekend performances,
demonstrations, and family activities showcase the arts and cultures of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
The Festival’s weekday schedule includes children’s
storytimes, kids’ garden adventures, and gardening talks.
Floral
Arts Foundation of Taiwan presents exhibit
In
October, 20 artisans from the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation
will travel from Taipei, Taiwan, to Longwood to create a
dynamic display of classical Chinese floral arrangements.
Wood, pottery and water are key ingredients when creating
these works of art, which range from single-container
creations to large-scale displays that fill a room.
Longwood
embarked on this cultural exchange more than a year ago
through a long-standing relationship with the Chinese American
Cultural Center of Delaware, who introduced Longwood staff to
a representative of the Floral Arts Foundation.
“We
are privileged to help bring this exhibition to Longwood as
part of our ongoing mission to share Chinese culture with the
community,” said Taini Hsu, Manager, Chinese American
Community Center of Delaware.
In
May, 2006, Longwood Performing Arts Coordinator Dara Schmoyer,
through an invitation from the Council of Cultural Affairs,
visited Taiwan and reconnected with the Foundation to plan
this special event. This exhibition is made possible by the
Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan, (http://www.cca.gov.tw/),
Taipei Cultural
Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and
Longwood Gardens, Inc. Organizers
include the National Museum of History, Taiwan, R.O.C, the
Chinese Floral Arts Foundation and the Chinese American
Community Center of Delaware. The exhibition is sponsored by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, R.O.C, Overseas
Compatriot Affairs Commission, Taiwan, R.O.C, China Airlines,
Royal Investment Co., Ltd. and Corporate Service Business Co.,
Ltd.
“This
exhibit is a wonderful example of public and private
organizations, government and cultural institutions working
together to bring an amazing cultural experience to the
public,” said Longwood Director Paul Redman.
Founded
in 1986, the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation is dedicated to
reviving the ancient art of classical Chinese floral
arrangement. Dating back to the Six Dynasties period 1,500
years ago, the art of Chinese flower arrangement was used
mainly for religious ceremonies and festivals. Over time, it
came to be used in the imperial household and as an object of
aesthetic appreciation for intellectuals. Today, with
sponsorship from the Council for Cultural Affairs and other
government departments, the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation of
Taiwan strives to promote the ancient art of Chinese flower
arrangement worldwide through international exchange programs
and exhibitions, publication of books and other materials, and
continued research into the history of the art form. During
the past 20 years, the Foundation has not only garnered a
prestigious reputation in Taiwan but has become widely
acknowledged by artistic circles and museums around the world.
Members of the Foundation each have more than seven
years of training in the art of Chinese floral arranging and
have presented shows in Belgium, France, Latvia, South Korea,
China, Japan and the United States.
“We
are honored to welcome the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation to
Longwood and are delighted to be able to share their inspiring
talent and this truly unique cultural art form with our
visitors,” said Schmoyer.
Chinese
flower arrangement differs from Japanese and Western
techniques. In Chinese floral composition, vessels are viewed
as mother earth. The flowers are arranged in a way that
reflects the energy of nature and arrangements are often
designed to portray a mood, with style as the second
consideration and color the third. By comparison, Japanese
floral arrangement values style over mood and colors, whereas
in the West, colors are the primary concern.
This Chinese Floral Arts Foundation exhibit is free
with Gardens admission and runs October 27-29, from 9am-5 pm.
Chrysanthemums are the
floral feature
Throughout
Longwood’s four acres of indoor gardens, 20,000 mums are
grown as colorful cascades, huge hanging baskets, towering
single-stemmed blooms, and huge flower curtains to epitomize
the art of horticulture.
The flower-filled scenes include the Exhibition Hall
with chrysanthemum baskets shaped as Lotus and graceful yellow
flower curtains. A
7-foot tall pagoda covered in living mums dominates the
Orangery. Flower beds are carpeted with mums in a variety of
colors, including brilliant yellows and golds, rust, burgundy,
white, green and amber.
A team of Longwood gardeners use as many as nine
different growing techniques to train the mums.
The scale ranges from diminutive bonsai mums to six-foot-tall
specimens. Longwood’s
expert growers remove almost all the buds from more than 2,500
exhibition-type single-stem mums, leaving just one giant
flower that crowns the stem of each plant. The flowing cascades on the Conservatory columns blossom with
a multitude of small flowers on their long, flowing stems that
the gardeners create through careful training and shearing.
The magnificent “thousand blooms” take over a year
to grow following a method first developed in Japan 200 years
ago. There are
only a handful of growers in the United States that know how
to grow these rarities named for the ambitious early goal of
producing 1,000 perfect blooms.
Origami display
Longwood
also pays homage to the ancient Japanese art of origami, or
paper folding. Discover
elaborate origami creations throughout the display and see
origami artists showcase their talents in live folding
demonstrations.
Visitors
will be greeted by a giant school of origami koi swimming
through the Visitor Center. These 5-foot-long creations are
the work of origami expert Robert J. Lang, of Alamo,
California. Lang is recognized as one of the world’s leading
masters of the art, with more than 400 designs catalogued and
diagrammed. He is noted for designs of great detail and
realism, and includes in his repertoire some of the most
complex origami designs ever created. His work has been shown
in exhibitions in Paris, New York, Boston, San Diego, and
Tokyo, among others. Lang is well-known for his “Monumental
Origami” works, which are large-scale origami (many feet or
meters in size), intended to make a visual impact from a
distance. Often requiring special types and sizes of paper,
and extensive folding room, Lang will fold Monumental Origami
koi on Saturday, October 28 from 11 am to 3 pm.
Origami
groups from 15 states and three countries joined Longwood to
fold origami cranes for a unique mobile adorning Longwood’s
Orchid House. In Japanese culture, cranes are a symbol of hope
and peace and a Japanese legend says if you fold 1,000 origami
cranes, you are granted a wish. The spectacular six-foot wide
mobile will feature more than 2,000 individually folded
colorful origami cranes.
The origami fun continues in the Estate Fruit House
where delightful tree frogs, ladybugs and butterflies take up
residence.
Garden
vignettes reflect Asian cultures
Throughout
the Conservatory, garden vignettes feature the decorative arts
of Asia. In the Exhibition Hall, massive hanging mum baskets
shaped like Lotus flowers hang from the ceiling. Near the
Mediterranean Garden, a tokonoma (Japanese alcove) comes alive
with changing floral arrangements created by members of
Ikebana International. The lush Tropical Terrace features a
re-creation of the Japanese footbridge that artist Claude
Monet captured in his famous waterlily series. Longwood’s
miniature version is surrounded by waterlilies and other aquatic plants.
Handmade lanterns crafted by area school children,
teens and adults decorate the Rose House in Longwood’s
annual community competition. More than 20 groups
participated, with ribbons awarded based on arrangement,
creativity and presentation. Outdoors, a brilliant red Tori
gate beckons visitors down a woodland path to the Land of the
Dragons family activity area.
Behind-the –Scenes
Exhibit: Creating the Chrysanthemum Festival
To honor Longwood’s
centennial year, the Music Room features a behind-the-scenes
look at the history of the Chrysanthemum Festival. Historic
photos, videos and artifacts trace the history of this
spectacular display and recount many of Longwood’s dazzling
displays of the past.
Performing
arts feature acrobats, music, dance and family entertainment
If the dazzling beauty of
Longwood’s horticultural spectacle is not enough, visitors
will also be captivated by the artistry of musicians, dancers,
and many other gifted performers. The always popular Golden
Dragon Acrobats return November 4 at 12:30pm
and 3:30 pm to present their spellbinding feats of
balancing, acrobatics and strength. A special Golden Evening
Dinner and Performance Package invites visitors to dine on
Asian cuisine in Longwood’s elegant Ballroom and enjoy an
evening performance by the Golden Dragon Acrobats November 4.
Reservations are required for the dinner and entertainment
package. Call 610-388-1000 ext. 100 for more information and
for reservations.
Other
performance highlights include:
Asian Music
Sounds of Korea, November 11
Washington Toho Koto Society, November 18
Swarthmore Taiko Ensemble Japanese Drumming, November 19
Dance
Minbu Za Japanese Dance, October 29
Taipei Folk Dance Theatre, November 5
Children’s
Folk Dance Club & Lions Dance Club, November 11
Hua Sha
Chinese Dance Center, November 18
Martial Arts
Demonstrations
Shaolin
Chinese Martial Arts, October 29
Tang Soo Do
Korean Martial Arts, November 5
Aikido
Japanese Martial Arts, November 12
Tai Chi
& Chi Kung Chinese Martial Arts, November 19
Puppet Theatre
Chinese Theatre Works, Tiger’s Tales, October 28
In addition to performances,
the Chrysanthemum Festival offers a variety of family
activities and entertainment.
October 28-29, families can enjoy kite flying
demonstrations and then try making their own kites to fly. The
Land of the Dragons activity room is open daily offering Asian
crafts and games, with special storytimes each Monday and
Kids Garden Adventures on Wednesdays. On weekends, Tuckers
Tales Puppet Theatre entertains with colorful walking
presentations. The historic Open Air Theatre sparkles with
5-minute fountain displays every hour on weekdays and every
half hour on weekends, 11 am-5 pm
Bonsai and Ikebana shows,
talks on mum growing
Longwood Gardens showcases
Japanese horticultural arts with exhibits of ikebana and
bonsai on November 4 and 5, when the Philadelphia Chapter of
Ikebana International and the Brandywine Valley Bonsai Society
join forces to present an unforgettable display during their
annual show. On Tuesday
and Thursday afternoons throughout the Festival,
experts share their knowledge and demonstrate techniques.
About
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens located
near Kennett Square, PA, offers 1,050 acres of gardens,
woodlands, and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens; 20 indoor gardens;
11,000 different types of plants; and spectacular fountains.
Longwood Gardens is open daily 9 am-5 pm.
The Gardens Shop and Terrace Restaurant, offering full
and self-service dining, are also open daily.
Admission is $14 for adults ($10 on Tuesdays), $6 for
youths ages 16-20, $2 for children ages 6-15, and free for
children 5 and under. For
more information, call 610-388-1000, or visit
www.longwoodgardens.org.
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