There is something extra magical about creating public art installations, because everyone can enjoy them for free for several weeks or even months.
The wonderful Pacific Place Jakarta asked me to design just such an installation for all of their shoppers to enjoy. And even though I’m best known for my floral displays, I decided to create something for the Atrium without using a single flower. Instead, I used another of Mother Nature’s great beautiful wonders — Butterflies.
Butterflies, like flowers, comes in many beautiful varieties and colors; they’re an abundance of riches, and I couldn’t wait to see the finished design in Jakarta. However, it took a whole army of assistants working around the clock for well over a month to construct this five-stories-high structure made of hundreds of thousands of butterflies.
My team and I could not have done it without the local direction of Dina Touwani, who owns Flora Lines, and Budi Heruwanto, whose company is Rekacitra. They were amazing. I’d also like to thank the Pacific Place Jakarta, MasterCard, and Lamborghini for giving me the incredible opportunity to create this “Dreams Come True” exhibit.
Dear Readers, are you, like me, a butterfly lover? And, if you’re a florist, have you ever done an arrangement without using any flowers?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Cara
May 31, 2012
amazing!
akbar
June 1, 2012
It was amazing. I’m proud to be part of teamwork
Gloria
June 1, 2012
I love the way there are so many perspectives in this piece. It’s a chandelier. It’s floral. It’s butterflies! It’s hanging and then it’s flying.
The shift in perception reflects the transformative power of the butterfly concept. I love it when a decorative piece has a narrative that brings it to life.
All the best Preston. G
Tyler
June 1, 2012
Thanks so much for sharing this! Really spectacular, though I have to admit it took me a few times scrolling from picture to picture.
“Wait, is this a chandelier? Butterflies? Flowers? ALL OF THE ABOVE?” *gasp*
intimacy event
June 3, 2012
Magnificient,waoh
Valerie Romanoff
June 3, 2012
When I moved into my new home several years ago I found that we had several “butterfly bushes.” This magical plant attracts the most wondrous butterflies. On days when I have the pleasure of working from home, I sit by the pool and get inspiration from the nature all around me. I am inspired to write and play music by the sounds of the birds, frogs, crickets, even the whisper of the wind. I am inspired to paint by all of the different shades of green, pink and yellow. And I am inspired to fly by following the flight of the butterflies, bumblebees and hummingbirds.
Pam Archer
June 6, 2012
Holy Moly Preston! This is incredible! I would love to see it in person. I do love butterflies, too, and I have made many centerpieces without using a single flower. Collections make great centerpieces.