Floral Disruptors Hit Edinburgh
Don’t miss the floral event of the year - Fleurs de Villes ARISTE on from May 31st to June 9th at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Expect the unexpected as Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show behind international blockbuster exhibitions in cities including Sydney, New York, Chicago, Miami and Toronto, is set to return to Edinburgh this month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.
Known as “Floral Disruptors”, Fleurs de Villes is set to deliver another feast of fresh floral storytelling at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh between 31st May and 9th June, 2024, following the wildly successful UK premiere of its VOYAGE show last year at The Botanics.
This year’s Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE theme promises superstar levels of fresh floral creativity celebrating Scotland’s remarkable art and the nation’s much-loved artists.
Few artworks evoke Scotland or The Scottish Highlands more than Sir Edwin Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen, and no artist defines Scotland in word greater than Robert Burns. Both will be reimagined in spectacular floral homage for ARTISTE. A titan of Scottish life, the work of artist and playwright John Byrne will also be celebrated, along with Alexander McQueen, whose ties to Scotland defined his groundbreaking career, and Annie Lennox whose visual image remains strong as does her prowess as one of music’s greatest ever female artists, each promise dramatic wow moments for visitors. East will meet west too at Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE as key works of what became known as The Glasgow Style take a fresh floral starring role, with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frances MacDonald MacNair and Annie French each being celebrated. Adding a regal elevation to the exhibition, one of the most important surviving Jacobite artefacts - the lost painting of Jacobite hero Prince Charles Edward Stuart, by Allan Ramsay; Scotland’s greatest 18th century painter - is also announced for ARTISTE.
The Fabulous 15
The fifteen talented Edinburgh florists who will star in the UK premiere of ARTISTE include:
Robert Burns mannequin X Flowers for All Occasions
Inspired by Alexander Nasmyth, Robert Burns, 1759 - 1796. Poet, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.
Monarch of the Glen “en fleurs” X Gillytree Studio
Inspired by Sir Edwin Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: National.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh mannequin X Partyy Event and Penelope Fleur by KDM
Inspired by the figurehead of the Glasgow Art School movement, and his prolific contributions to international Art Nouveau.
Billy Connolly Edinburgh Playhouse mannequin X Bonnie Bunches
Inspired by ‘The Big Yin’ and the landmark Edinburgh Playhouse, where Billy first performed in 1976, and numerous times since.
Annie Lennox mannequin X Flower Pixies
Inspired by the iconic outfit on the cover of Annie Lennox’s solo debut album, Diva, in 1992.
John Byrne mannequin X Wonder Flower
Inspired by esteemed portrait artist, playwright and stage designer John Byrne.
Alexander McQueen mannequin X Penelope Fleur by KDM
Inspired by the renowned designer’s collections influenced by his Scottish heritage and by Scottish culture, history, and traditions.
Dovecot Weaver mannequin X Pirita Blooms
Inspired by the 2024 summer exhibition at Dovecot Studios that features The Caged Bird’s Song - showcasing how master weavers at Dovecot brought the design to life, creating a stunning tapestry that took over three years to create.
Scottish Opera mannequin X Flowers by Kerry
Inspired by the character of Violetta Valéry, from Scottish Opera’s production of Verdi’s La traviata, directed by world-renowned Scottish director Sir David McVicar.
Jupiter Artland mannequin X Boyes Botanics
Inspired by Joana Vasconcelos’ Gateway, a colourful and interactive swimming pool art installation at Jupiter Artland, made up of vibrant, hand-painted, Portuguese tiles.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancer mannequin X Wildbells
Inspired by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers that celebrate the cultural tradition of highland dancing while showing how contemporary the art form can be.
Annie French mannequin X Petals by the Shore
Inspired by Annie French’s The Pink Rose, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: Modern.
Nicola Benedetti mannequin X The Flower Studio
Inspired by the renowned violinist and the first Scottish and the first female Director of The Edinburgh International Festival since it began in 1947.
Prince Charles Edward Stuart mannequin X Nikki Fleurs
Inspired by Scottish Painter Allan Ramsay’s Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1745. Acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland in 2016, it is widely recognised as one of the most important surviving Jacobite artefacts, showing Charles’ likeness during one of the most dramatic episodes in British history, when he became the last man to lead a Scottish army into England.
Maud Sulter X Debrah J Flowers mannequin
Inspired by award-winning Scottish-Ghanaian visual artist Maud Sulter’s Terpsichore, one of nine subversive portrait photographs in her photographic series Zabat.
Please find further details attached of the exhibition which opens to the public next week, on Friday 31st May and will run for ten days until Sunday 9th June, 2024.