Thai Style

Tropical Colors: The Art Of Living With Tropical Flowers

By Sakul Intakul and Wongvipa Devahastin na Ayudhya with Peta Bassett

Photographs by Luca Invernizzi Tettoni

176 pages, Periplus 2002

When two leading exponents of Thai design come up with a book on yet another facet of Thai style, it’s bound to be engaging and inspiring. Sakul Intakul, Thai engineer turned floral artist, who counts among his clients Queen Sirikit of Thailand, and Wongvipa Devahastin na Ayudhya, who has written on Thai culture and contemporary style, are giving us a new take on tropical floral design. In their recently published book, Tropical Colors: The Art of Living with Tropical Flowers, the authors talk about the versatility of tropical flowers and plants in Thai floral design.

Just when you think you’ve come across some of the most creative names in floral art – Christian Tortu, Jeff Leatham or Kenneth Turner – reading Tropical Colors leaves you with the impression that the drive for creativity in Thailand is seemingly endless. Imagine single blooms submerged in water tanks posing as installation art, floral floats of plant leaves and desert roses anchored on coconut frond spires drifting in a pool or a pond, thick green stems tied together to resemble a floating raft gleaming with bright yellow lilies! If you have been to Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand, then you can hold these images in your mind’s eye. If you are planning a trip there, then reading this book will give you a good sense of Thai creativity and artistry. Much of it is drawn from their natural environment and brought indoors, to public spaces and areas within the home.

In Thailand, as the authors demonstrate, anything that comes from nature or the environment can be harnessed into creative compositions. There is no such thing as a lowly plant or flower. Bamboo trunks, a bevy of leaves and stems, the frangipani and the hibiscus (known in our culture as kalachuchi and gumamela, respectively) make for exuberant or sublime floral arrangements. Perhaps this comes as no surprise coming from a culture that has a deep respect and reverence for nature.

The flowers have always figured prominently in Thai festivals and celebrations. The festival of lights or Loi Krathong has inspired many of the floating floral arrangements we see today albeit in more modern or stylized versions. Floral garlands are presented as religious offerings in the various shrines located in the street corners of Thailand. In Bangkok, street stalls brim with colorful flowers reflecting the richness and diversity of the tropical environment. The authors tell us that there are some 200,000 species indigenous to the Southeast Asia and Pacific region. Yet gardens and floral arrangements in Asia today boast a wide array of plants from all corners of the globe that thrive with native plants giving way to more vibrant landscape designs and design concepts.

In Thailand, however, florists, interior designers and design enthusiasts are keen on using tropical flowers, stems and leaves to create innovative floral arrangements. The various chapters in the book speak of the adaptability and suitability of tropical plants and flowers to just about any occasion or setting. The opening chapter, fittingly titled "Underwater Allure," touches on the interplay of flowers and water, water being a life- sustaining force in Thailand. Think about the canals and waterways that have facilitated trade and the movement of people in and around the city. Think about the floating markets bearing fresh produce, fruits and spices. Not surprisingly, flowers and other plant life are seen within the context of an environment that lives off its waterways.

Just how does this translate into the design of contemporary floral arrangements? Contemporary floral design concepts take its cues from nature, culture and the environment that are then adapted to a modern aesthetic. In what the authors define as "tank art," single blooms are plunged below the waterline into transparent vessels, suspended by wire and anchored by stones. These floral installations allow us to view and appreciate the flower from different angles and perspectives. The containers may vary in size and shape, from glass and acrylic tanks to smaller vases, and are suitable for large public areas, reception halls, residential areas or table-top arrangements. The texture and thickness of a flower determine whether it is suitable for submersion, although the authors recommend experimentation.

Generally, flowers and stems with thick waxy petals are ideal for this type of arrangement. Space is a major consideration in creating these installations. This is the art of minimalism in floral design, so the authors recommend setting the flower in a void to enhance its presence.

Contemporary in feel and approach, water-filled containers amassed with flowers evoke images of lotus-filled ponds. This is a prevalent theme in many of the spas that have mushroomed across Thailand. Such floral arrangements need not be confined to public areas. In the home, it can serve as a gesture of warmth and welcome. In the Thai homes featured here, floating blooms in gem-like colors enliven minimalist settings and recall a much-loved Thai practice. The Thais are known to offer flowers to guests as a form of greeting.

Reflecting pools and ponds that are abundant in Thailand also makes an alluring backdrop for larger floating arrangements. To ensure that the flowers are not drowned out given the scale of the setting, banana trunk rings and rolled leaves are used as flotation devices. Coconut frond skewers hold the flowers to the leaves, giving the arrangement both line and form. For a more dramatic setting, sturdy green stems such as those of the water hyacinth are tied together with a plastic thread to resemble a raft. The spaces between the stems are studded with bright flowers, in this case, yellow water lilies.

In Thai floral arrangements, foliage is as vital as flowers in giving structure to centerpieces. Leaves of various shapes and forms are rolled or coiled and interspersed with tropical blooms. Stems and stalks can jazz up any floral arrangement. Sturdy greens may be set into a grid-like pattern to hold blooms in place. Line glass vases with stems or stalks before filling them with flowers or foliage to create a miniature pocket garden in an indoor setting. Fill individual jars of varying shapes with a bunch of leaves and stems to bring the outdoors in. Yes, foliage provides a refreshing counterpoint to brilliant blooms.

Scrolls are giving inspiration to yet another dimension in the floral arts. Free-standing panels may be covered in lotus and banana leaves. Both leaves are widely used as wrapping material because of their durable qualities. Their textural quality also makes it an ideal canvass for tall if not wide panels. Lotus blossoms and seeds carefully positioned on a vertical panel lead the eye downward as though reading a scroll. As the leaves and flowers age, the texture and the look of the composition change, giving it a whole new appeal and visual dimension. At Bangkok’s Dusit Hotel, the lobby of the Deverana Spa resembles a stage set. A reflecting pool is flanked on both sides by large pillars covered in lotus leaves and entwined with tuberose flowers. The ancient Thai text known as the "Tribhumphraruang" served as the inspiration for this mythical setting. These floral sculptures give the place a serene yet ethereal quality. This is a feel-good place, after all, so why not create the ambience to set the mood? Flipping through the pages of the book, one can see that tropical flowers and foliage add pizzazz to contemporary Thai homes. Western-inspired interiors also make the perfect backdrop for these floral artworks. After reading this book, you may be tempted to head for Dimasalang to pick up some very exotic plants and create your own floral fantasy.

There are wonderful examples featured here that can spark decorative ideas in just about anyone. This book is a feast for the eyes. Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, who has photographed various coffee-table books on the arts and culture of Thailand, deserves much credit for that. He is truly adept at capturing the many moods of Asia and the ongoing design dialogue between east and west, modern and traditional.

It amazes one to think of how creative the Thais are and how they push the limits of their creativity. There is a boldness, confidence yet refinement, to their artistry. And as they have proven in this instance and in many facets of their arts, inspiration and good ideas need not come from far away but close to home.