Art in Bloom – first (and only!) sign of spring in Minneapolis this year

Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MiA) is one of my favorite art events of the year. I was able to play a little hooky and attend for about an hour on opening day (today Thursday); it will be on display until Sunday (May 1) and tickets are not required.  I am hoping to go back at least once.

Art in Bloom pairs 100 artists and florists with artworks to use an inspiration for flower arrangements. It’s always interesting to see what happens. Some florists are very true to the subject either attempting to replicate the work or extending the artwork in some way, like continuing a garden or sky started in the work of art. Some capture a small element of the original artwork and go with it. Some seem to bounce in another direction creating something that captures the essence without replication.

There are some works that seem to get selected every year; some are works I haven’t seen paired with flowers in the past. What I love most about the exhibit is that it draws to me to works of art that I don’t normally stop to visit. (I visit the MiA about 10 times a year.) From what I overhear from others, the event is a reminder to visitors to come back more often.

I’ve included some of the works that caught my eye.

• Wedding Coat and Hat (art by Anita Fields and flowers by Tara McCarthy and Mary Lou Theisen looks like a mirror image. The colors are perfect and vivid. I’d happily wear that hat.
• Pair of lions and columns (art from workshop of Anselmo de Campione flower by Beena Brown. The work is huge and striking but it’s the charter in the face of the botanical lion that is so charming.
• The Telegraph Operator (art by Albert Birkle and flowers by April Netley) is one of my favorite works of art even without the flowers but the flowers get to the idea that what’s going on in Albert’s head to more than we can see. His personality and profession are clearly different!
• Nude on a Couch (art by Gustave Caillebott and flower by Mary Bejblik) is a great example of the color and mood of the arrangement setting the same tone.