“A Story of Flowers”: the flower life cycle by florist artist Azuma Makoto

Japanese florist artist Azuma Makoto captures the life cycle of flowers through moving illustration. In 2016, he surrounded himself with London illustrator Katie Scott, specialized in botanical drawings and with animator James Paulley for his 3D animations. The two creatives explore a dense and detailed universe where flowers, in all their forms and textures, are the main protagonists. The video installation “Story of Flowers” ​​is the first result of their collective work. “This animated series is being released as a gift to children around the world,” says the florist.

Botanical animation “Story of Flowers”, Directed by: Azuma Makoto, Illustration by: Katie Scott, Animation by: James Paulley, Visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, Project Management by: Eri Narita

In this three-minute story, birds and bees punctuate the flowering process, while the sound design reflect the surrounding flora and fauna and makes the flowers “smell”. It is alongside Azuma Makoto’s plant sculptures that the video installation is presented, giving children and adults the opportunity to get lost in the history of flowers.

Four years later, the project was developed again under the leadership of the artist florist. More complex visually than thematically than its first edition, “Story of Flowers 2” is aimed at adults and children alike. While the first story tells the life cycle of plants, from their germination to their rotting, the second part explores in a sensitive way the cultural and emotional relationship between flowers and humans.

Rather than creating a literal storytelling, illustrator Katie Scott prefers the intrinsic sensitivity to the bright, sometimes soft colors of the flowers that in themselves tell the story. James Paulley’s animation leaves room for different degrees of comprehension, making the flowers deeply human through a wide range of emotions; from funerals to the happiest celebrations …

Botanical animation “Story of Flowers 2”, Directed by: Azuma Makoto, Illustration by: Katie Scott, Animation by: James Paulley, Visual Supervise by: Shunsuke Shiinoki, Project Management by: Eri Narita

“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita
“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita
“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita
“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita
“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita
“Story of Flowers”, directed by: Azuma Makoto, illustration by: Katie Scott, animation by: James Paulley, visual Supervisor: Shunsuke Shiinoki, project management by: Eri Narita

Azuma Makoto’s website: azumamakoto.com
Katie Scott’s website: katie-scott.com
© Azuma Makoto & Katie Scott