““My prediction is that edible flowers will be the latest trend in the culinary world. An edible flower as garnish will replace the traditional sprig of parsley.

Flowers and food make a fantastic combination. It’s logical really, since in both cases you’re dealing with natural products. And with two worlds which are all about the experience.

Not everyone realises that flowers and cookery are so closely linked. I found out about it when I was working on the International Food Floral Fashion Show with floral artist Pim van den Akker and fashion designer Aziz Bekkaoui. This is a spectacle of image, light, sound and flavour in which we combine fashion, flowers, plants and food.

I made appetisers to match the most fantastic dresses, including one which incorporated orchids. You can buy edible orchids from culinary wholesalers nowadays. They make a great ingredient – comparable to firm, crispy lettuce.

The show was a great success. There were 250 guests, and a lot of international fashion and food journalists attended. But there were also ambassadors and people from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Netherlands is simply a world class player when it comes to flowers and plants.

I find it fun and educational to combine flowers and plants with the world of cookery. Restaurants could still greatly improve the plant and flower arrangements in their premises. This remains a neglected area. You create atmosphere and a fresh experience with plants as well. And the orchid fits perfectly into the culinary world. It still has a lot more to offer.”

Yuri Verbeek
Chef and author of cookery books

www.yuripim.nl

“As a child, I came into contact with the orchid through botanical educational illustrations. They were beautifully drawn and the shapes were breathtaking, and I wanted to draw like that too!

Once I had completed a course at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, I developed an intuitive way of working. Whether I am designing a wooden sideboard, a chair or a lamp, I love simplicity. Honestly designed products appeal to me a great deal, but I loathe sensationalist styles. And despite the industrial appearance of my designs, my aim is to give them a traditional look.

Plants create a positive change in a person’s living and working environment, and have a demonstrable effect on people’s well-being. They release oxygen, keep the air clean and increase productivity — it’s as simple as that. It is for good reason that you will find an enormous vertical wall of plants in my design studio in Den Bosch, which gives the feel of a sheltered courtyard garden. Surrounding yourself with nature is fantastic.

I lived and worked in Indonesia for a long time. In the jungle of Irian Jaya, the tiger orchid, which has a raceme of up to 3 metres in length, left an overwhelming impression on me; as did the fact that over 25.000 species of orchids grow there, and that those plants already existed 80 million years ago. Isn’t it fascinating that we still have descendants of these plants in our offices and living rooms nowadays?

The challenge in my partnership with the Art of Life project was to get the orchids off the table. Diversity of colour and the shape of the flower make the orchid extremely interesting; it is already a painting in itself. But an orchid hanging in a room is when it’s at its most beautiful. Anyway, at home I always hang orchids at eye level, as this simply makes them even more beautiful to look at.”

Roderick Vos

Designs furniture, tables, fabrics and lamps etc. For the Art of Life project, he designed an orchid holder which hangs from the ceiling on three wires (but can also stand on the table).

www.roderickvos.nl

Shoes and flowerpots are some of the simple products that roll off 3D printers, but the technology is spreading like wildfire. The first homes are being built using 3D printers and the medical industry is experimenting with the technology. There are even 3D printers that are used to… create 3D printers!

Since the year 2000, Finnish designer Janne Kyttanen has been completely engrossed by this technology, and his work can be seen in galleries and museums all over the world — in Rotterdam, Barcelona, Basel and Vienna, but also in Israel, Miami and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Cutlery, tables, lamps, but also clothes and shoes. All the things he produces using the printer is unbelievable.

150 unique pots

On Orchids Day 2014, this versatile artist created the ‘3D Orchid Cloud’ — a reflective display that is several metres tall and contains 150 unique flowerpots that were created using 3D technology. Those pots were filled with 150 different types of orchids, in honour of the vast wealth of colour provided by the orchid. Janne himself expressed it even more pointedly: “I wanted to create something which would reflect all the varieties of orchids in a powerful colour explosion.”

Three questions

The busy designer didn’t have time to write a column himself, but Art of Life was able to ask him three pressing questions:

What is the effect of 3D printing on our daily lives now and what will the effect be in the next five years?
“It affects most industrially produced products on the planet at some stage of their development, so the effect is huge. And it is only expected to grow about 30% per year.”

When developing the 3D Orchid Cloud, you visited an orchid grower. What was the most interesting thing he showed you?
“How scientifically everything was monitored was very intriguing.”

If you had to choose, would you choose natural flowers or 3D flowers?

“I see everything as a wireframe anyway so there is no difference :-)”

Janne Kyttanen
Janne Kyttanen, born in 1974 in Finland, commenced his design studies at the Escola De Disseny, Elisave in Barcelona in 1996. He moved to the Netherlands to further his studies, graduating from The Gerrit Rietveld Academy in the year 2000. As a pioneer in design for 3D printing, Janne has created award-winning collaborations with brands including Hyundai, Asics, Nivea, NIKE, Philips and L’Oréal. He is now Creative Director for 3D Systems, the largest specialist 3D printing company in the world.

www.jannekyttanen.com

3D designs for orchid pots
Below you will find several links to the orchid pots designed by Janne Kyttanen. If you possess a 3D printer or have access to a 3D printer, you can print and use these models yourself.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Different technologies and materials for 3D printing
Several 3D printing technologies have been developed, all of which have a slightly different way of building up an object layer by layer. The material that the printer is able to run on also differs depending on the technology. For example, there are machines that are able to print both chocolate and plastic, and others that are only able to build out of a special ceramic powder. The most frequently used materials and technologies are listed below:

Materials:
nylon (polyamide), recycled wood and polymer, ABS (the material from which Lego is also made), PLA (cornstarch-based biodegradable plastic), gold, silver (lost-wax technology), titanium, stainless steel, bronze, brass (lost-wax technology), ceramic

Technologies:

Stereolithography
Stereolithography is a technology that was invented in 1986 by Charles Hull. A laser beam (synthetic resin) hardens the surface of a liquid plastic layer by layer. The hardening takes effect where the laser beam comes into contact with the liquid. Once a layer has been completed, the platform on which the object is standing drops a fraction of a millimetre deeper into the basin. The three-dimensional object is formed by hardening the ultra-thin layers on top of each other.

Fused Deposition Modeling
FDM is a technology where a movable nozzle sprays long, thin lines of thermoplastic material on top of each other. A three-dimensional object is created layer by layer. Most “home” printers use this technology. The company Stratasys develops FDM 3D printers for industrial use.

Selective Laser Sintering
SLS is a technology that builds up plastic objects layer by layer by fusing together a thermoplastic (or metal) powder. A layer of powder is laid on top of another layer of powder each time. After each layer, the powder is melted (sintered) there and then by a laser, hardening it and mixing it with the other layers of powder. This is repeated until an entire 3D object has been created.

ZCorp 
The technology of a ZCorp printer is similar to that of SLS. The particles of powder are not fused together by a laser, but bonded together using a binding agent. The difference is that the material used is significantly less strong (it can best be compared to plaster), but the benefit of ZCorp’s 3D printing technology is that you can print in full colour.

Multi Jet Modeling
MJM is a technology where droplets of molten wax are sprayed on top of each other. Designers’ main use of these rather flimsy models is to visualise complex shapes. A wax plotter builds up the object layer by layer. The head of the plotter may consist of 100 individual wax needles.

Polyjet 
Polyjet sprays minuscule droplets of liquid polymer material onto a platform, layer by layer. Each layer is set by UV light as soon as it has been laid. As a result, it bonds to other layers and hardens immediately. Where necessary, the product is supported by a plastic support material.

Today, Dutch fashion designer Jan Taminiau presented his new collection in the residence of the Dutch Embassy as part of the Couture Week in Paris. This time, the designer consciously chose a different approach which was more personal and intimate and in direct contact with his audience. In addition, a new interactive web application experience was launched during the show that allowed the audience to see the smallest details in close-up on their phones or tablets. Guests were welcomed with the letter below.

I am honoured to present you my new collection today.

In July of this year, I will be celebrating my tenth anniversary as a fashion designer. After almost ten years of traditional catwalk shows, I opted for a more intimate salon presentation, one that allows me to take you on an explorative expedition. It is a personal journey in which I show my passions, like my love for the crafts, and how I enjoy the way everything comes together in a modern couture collection.

The starting points for this collection are a photograph that is very dear to me, an antique scarf, and an orchid. In the photograph from the forties, my grandmother poses as the refined woman she was, in a tough looking biker jacket, ready to conquer the world. The old scarf from India moves me with its modest and simple embroidery. The orchid managed to inspire me with its fragile nerve pattern, which can be recognized in the fine embroidery and craquele leather in some of the dresses of my collection. As you will see, couture is about details.

My world exists as a mix of past and present, technique, and craft. I translate all these elements, including my emotions, in to shapes and materials. That is how I layer my collection, and create a force field between materials: shine versus matte, and hard versus soft. 

Jan Taminiau 

In the new collection, an important role was reserved for the orchid. One can find so many characters in this plant, some are powerful and abundant, others are refined and modest, but all are royal.

While working on his new collection, Jan Taminiau found himself inspired by the orchid. The shapes, the fragile nerve pattern, and the colours were all sources of inspiration. The collection, including two dresses and other pieces inspired by orchids, was presented on 20 January during the Paris Haute Couture fashion show. The dresses symbolise the orchid’s status in the plant kingdom. Not only is the orchid the Queen of Plants; it is also the perfect living fashion and home accessory.

The dress was inspired by the Phalaenopsis, an orchid with a name derived from the Greek words ‘Phalaina’ (moth) and ‘opsis’ (resembling).  The story goes that during one of his trips, Dutch botanist, Dr C.L. Blume, saw a group of butterflies floating almost motionless beside a tree. These turned out to be Phalaenopsis orchids. Jan Taminiau was also inspired by the Vanda Orchid. The Vanda is a rare orchid that does not need any earth to survive. Its roots hang loose in the air or wrap themselves around  trees. Several other pieces in Jan Taminiau’s 2014 collection were inspired by orchids.

Jan Taminiau on the orchid as a muse: “I wanted to discover the possibilities that the orchid has to offer, and be guided by the orchid’s colours, its vein-like structures, and its variegated shades. The orchid not only inspired me, it surprised me. Orchids are every bit as fascinating as the women who walk into my studio.”

Jan Taminiau on the orchid’s beauty as a living accessory: “As with people, an orchid is a living thing that grows more beautiful with time.”

Images JANTAMINIAU
Credits: Duy Vo

Isabelle van Zeijl is an established mid-career international acclaimed artist. Recognized for her mastery to create striking self portraits (with orchids) with depth and meaning who enriches life, possessing lasting and impressionable depth and value. We spoke to her about her passion for the orchid and more. Read the interview below. 

Flowers are a source of inspiration for you. How did that come about?
The first flowers appeared on Earth some 114 million years ago. Much later flowers would play an essential part in the evolution of human consciousness. People felt very attracted to flowers. Flowers were the first thing that they experienced where there was no link with survival, but that offered inspiration. Seeing the beauty in the flower would connect people to their true nature.
Beauty is very important in my work. I believe that if you surround yourself with beauty – and that can be done with art, but also with other objects or with flowers, for example – it has an enormous impact on people’s well-being, increasing their resonance and energy. I mainly find this beauty in nature.

And what do you specifically like about the orchid (Phalaenopsis)?
The most highly coveted of ornamental plants, the delicate and graceful orchid represents love, femininity, beauty and strength. Orchids have a magical quality. The genus Phalaenopsis was identified in 1825 by a Dutch botanist on the island of Java. The story goes that during one of his journeys he saw a group of butterflies practically motionless whirling by a tree. These turned out to be orchids. Like a metaphor for profound change in the cycles of our lives, moving from one state to another, the butterfly’s remarkable shape-shifting journey carries an important message. It’s an inspiring message that teaches us that growth and transformation need not be traumatic or painful, but rather liberating and joyful, a natural part of life’s continuous unfolding. I was also looking for butterflies when I found orchids. My series of photographic self-portraits show me wearing an extraordinary headdress woven from the flowers. The original idea was to use butterflies. It was during a difficult period for me. I was cut off from the world for about six months, going through difficult times. And when I came out I wanted to make a headpiece out of butterflies. For many reasons, butterflies were not suitable for making the piece. So then I was looking for a flower, and intuitively I chose orchids. I always pick the elements and materials on an intuitive basis. Later, when researching the significance of the chosen material, I discovered the botanist’s similar journey. “I thought: I have chosen butterflies!”

What are you most proud of and why?
I am proud when my collectors tell me that they want to surround themselves with beauty and choose my work. That it helps them to become better or to heal. That not only makes me proud, but also intensely grateful.

Your floral artworks are featured in international media. How did that come about? 
The work has appeared on the cover of Harpers Bazaar, but also extensively in Forbeswhen I started working with the orchids from growers’ dumpsters because they had to destroy 80% of their flowers.
At Harpers Bazaar they embrace my art because of its authenticity and multiple layers: the work is not only beautiful to look at, but also contains a meaningful message. I am my own model – I am a woman with a life, not a model onto whom the fashion world projects its unachievable beauty ideals and saddles (young) women with an impossible ideal of beauty, but a woman who shows a new ideal of beauty: be yourself and show who you are and what drives you.

What do you think of the Dutch floriculture sector?
We have an enormously rich culture and history in floriculture, and this abundance of beauty is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me. Flowers are perhaps appreciated even more internationally than here.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m currently working on a series of flowers with healing properties. A series that again shows that nature contains all the answers; an intelligent system from which we still have a great deal to learn.

Do you want to know more about this talented woman or do you want one of these beautiful artworks at home? Visit her website for more information.

Images: Isabelle van Zeijl

The wedding season is almost upon us. Time to spot the wedding trends for 2014 and to inspire you with subtle and lavish orchid inspiration!

Wedding Trends 2014
Romance dominates. A combination of love, rustic elements and a hint of vintage as a finishing touch. Conviviality, unforced and atmosphere are the esential key words this year. Bohemian weddings are mega-popular. Close to nature, food that is both honest and delicious, celebrating with friends and family, colourful and above all love-filled weddings.

The bouquet
Larger lavish bridal bouquets that resemble still lives from the Dutch Golden Age. The bouquets each tell a story of their own, and are a very valuable addition to the bridal dress and wedding atmosphere. We see (and are delighted to see) that brides are opting for loose, asymmetrical bouquets and table displays instead of tight, round arrangements.

Table dressing
Flowers and plants create atmosphere and emotion. So don’t forget to have flowers and plants included in the various moments and locations. In the church or registry office, and during the meal and the evening reception. A fun idea is to mark the place settings with mini orchids. Place a plant in a matching pot beside each plate and write the name of the person sitting there with white chalk. An original way of organising the seating plan, and it provides an instant colourful table dressing!

Where are the orchids in your house? Not just on the windowsill, are they? The versatile orchid can easily brighten up any room and there is a perfect orchid for every room. Orchids provide fresh air, a great atmosphere and a good dose of happiness in every room of the house! There are plenty of ways to use vibrant looking orchids all over the place to decorate your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and even the hall.  The ultimate finishing touch for every interior!

Like many plants, orchids also provide oxygen in the bedroom. And you can decorate a festive table with orchids. It’s not a boring plant for Grandma! Where are you going to put it at home? Let us give you some inspiration.

Orchids in the bedroom

Extra oxygen, a bit of colour and some calm? The orchid is the plant for you! Orchid enjoy being the often-cooler bedroom!

 

            

Orchids in the bathroom

Put your plants in the bathroom! Why? The golden rule for almost all plants is that you should try to recreate their original climate. That is why cacti, which grow in the desert, love dry potting soil. And orchids come from the tropics, which means that they like to live in humid environments. Put your plant in the bathroom and you no longer have to think about soaking it every week. If there are no windows in the bathroom, then you should put it somewhere where it will get indirect sunlight.

          

Orchids in the living room

Don’t just keep orchids on the windowsill. You can also put them on the coffee table, the cupboard or next to the sofa perhaps? Whether you like an industrial, romantic or simple look, there is an orchid for every living room. Which type suits your living style the best?

        

        

The kitchen and dining table

Orchids like to steal the show at the table! Choose a simple base and style with your favourite orchids. Combine low plants and tall plants to give more life to the overall look. Perfect for the holidays or that special dinner with friends and family. And after dinner, you just leave them where they are. You can give the kitchen a little more colour with a cheerful orchid on the counter. Watering has never been so easy.

           

Orchids in the corridor

Are you finally getting to grips with the messy hall? Create a calm place with plants and orchids. So coming home is a moment of pure happiness!

          

Art of Life wants to inspire visitors to FLORALIËN. FLORALIËN is a unique global event. It’s the leading international flower and plant expo which attracts more than hundred thousands of visitors abroad.

Art of Life has asked Pim van de Akker, an internationally renowned floral artist, to create an ‘orchid omniverse’: an immersive orchid experience in which orchids can be seen, felt, smelt – in other words, experienced – as never before. Cut cymbidiums will also feature in the orchid omniverse at FLORALIËN. Visitors can be photographed in a living orchid painting, a painting of which our famous Dutch painters would be envious. By being photographed they are entered for the chance to win a lovely orchid arrangement or cut cymbidium bouquet.

Experience it for yourself between 9 and 18 May 2014 in the Brabanthallen in ’s-Hertogenbosch
Hall 5, stand 523

Today, 4 September, is the International Day of the Orchid. Orchids, the most diverse natural beauties amongst plants, will literally and figuratively be in the spotlight today. At the request of the pot orchid growers that our country can boast, the internationally renowned 3D Artist Janne Kyttanen has created a remarkable artwork consisting of150 orchids in 3D pots. This 3D Orchid Cloud, which is5.1metres long and 1.5 metres high, was presented at Felix &Foam – a temporary collaboration between the Foamphotography museum, Frame and restaurant Foyer. The artwork is on display until Sunday, after which it is expected to tour international museums.

150 orchids from all Dutch growers
The 3D Orchid Cloud was spectacularly unveiled in front of an invited audience at Felix &Foam, where the orchids merged in a natural way with the hottest ‘tech trend’ of the moment: 3D printing. The ‘Orchid Cloud’ is a co-creation by international 3Dartists led by the Finnish 3D guru Janne Kyttanen and the practitioners of the art of growing pot orchids united under the banner of ‘Art of Life’ (all the Dutch orchid growers). The 150Dutch growers each sent their finest orchid to the Keizersgracht,after which floral artist Pim van den Akker was responsible forstyling the 150 orchids featured in the artwork. He allocated a position in the Cloud to the Colour of the Year 2014, Radiant Orchid. Anyone wishing to be inspired by ‘Design meets Nature’ can do so at Felix & Foam until next Sunday.

Dutch growers are Europe’s orchid champions
Following in the footsteps of designers such as Jan Taminiau, Jan Jansen and Philip Treacy, the British milliner who was responsible for the design for the Day of the Orchid 2013, it is now the turn of the Finn Janne Kyttanen to work with Art ofLife: the association of orchid growers in the Netherlands. Every year Art of Life invites an internationally renowned artist to be inspired by the versatility of the orchid and to create a design specifically for 4 September. Many people are unaware that Dutch growers are Europe’s orchid champions. Every week the growers deliver some 1.5 million mature orchids, which make their way to the consumer via auctions or contracts. 90% of all the orchids in Europe come from Dutch greenhouses. There are currently enough greenhouses filled with plants in Holland to cover some 500 football pitches.

Looking for inspiration for your home office?

Decorate your home with orchids to bring even more atmosphere
to your home.  Orchids not only provide the finishing touch in your interior,
but also boost your health. The more greenery in your home,
the better the air quality! So don’t forget to include an orchid in your next shop.
With over 25,000 different varieties There’s one to match every taste.
Which orchid suits you best? Check out the inspiration for your home office below!