Flower arrangements take unique twist

JAKARTA (JP): Arranging flowers turns out to be not as simple as it seems. It's more than preparing flowers, putting them in a vase and arranging them a bit here and a bit there.

According to flower designer Hervia S. Budi, it takes more effort to create a beautiful flower arrangement. The effort requires hunting for the desired flowers, ornaments, containers and then sketching the design before finally applying it to the real work.

"The problem is, I like to do all the work on my own, I have no one helping me in this," she told The Jakarta Post at a two- day exhibition of her work at Park Lane Hotel here last weekend. Some paintings of flowers, such as the works of Irin Yasin and Atty Mulyono, were also displayed at the exhibition.

As a consequence, she has to rise from her bed earlier than most Jakartans just to hunt for flowers and, certainly, to get the best deals at the Rawabelong flower market in West Jakarta.

The Rawabelong market opens for business by 2 a.m. -- two hours after the flowers are delivered by suppliers -- until about 8 a.m. The flowers come from various areas, including the Bogor and Tangerang regencies and Bandung, all in West Java. Some flowers, such as jasmine and sedap malam (tuberose), are even procured from Tegal and Ambarawa in Central Java.

Hervia, who inherited her talent from her mother, regrets that many people do not appreciate local flowers.

"Many people prefer imported flowers. It's a pity because local flowers are so beautiful ...," said Hervia, who prefers to use local flowers in her arrangements but will also use imported ones if needed.

She used black Irianese tallgrass as an example. The plant is usually thrown away, considered useless. But when she used it for a creation, it was admired by many.

But beautiful arrangements are not only possible with fresh- cut flowers acquired in certain flower markets.

When she started her career as a florist, or flower designer as she calls herself, Hervia took flowers and plants from any place possible, even along the streets.

And although her husband, a government official, had to move from one place to another according to his assignments, it did not lessen her ambition. At that time, she grew the flowers that she needed.

"I couldn't stop just because the flowers that I need were not available," Hervia said. "Fortunately, people liked my work, they said it was unique."

Like other florists, she mostly uses various kinds of roses, orchids, such as golden shower, chrysanthemum and jasmine for her creations.

But what makes Hervia's works different from others is her talent in combining art and ethnic pieces in her arrangements.

In some of her pieces, she adorns her arrangements with batik, East Timorese ikat and the koteka (Irianese penis sheath).

She also uses various fruits, such as pineapple, and janur, a woven material made from coconut leaf, in her work.

"For me, the bigger the flower arrangement is, the most I like it. It's like a challenge for me," Hervia said.

Apart from her unique arrangements, she is also very selective in choosing perfect containers for her work.

One of her works at the exhibition used a traditional wooden backpack, which the Dayak use to carry a baby, as a container for her flowers. The colorful beads covering the backpack accentuated her piece.

Other containers were no less attractive. Some of them were rattan baskets of various sizes and designs. There was also one piece using a Dayak wooden fruit basket, and a small metal container which looked like a bicycle.

Hervia said that before sketching a design, she usually searched for the right container.

"The flower container is my source of inspiration. Once I find the right one, and when the flowers are ready, I get the inspiration," she said. And when her mood is good, she can make three arrangements a day.

She says none of her containers are imported.

"All of the containers are my own," said Hervia, who has won a few competitions, including one in the Netherlands in 1992 and another in Jakarta in 1993.

Unlike other florists, she does not have a shop but instead receives private orders. Most of those who place orders are people who are already familiar with her work.

"For me, flowers can create a friendly and warm atmosphere. A room without flowers is not complete," said Hervia, whose works can be seen at Park Lane Hotel, where she has a contract.