*Frozen Flowers (2023)*
Azuma Makoto / Shiinoki Shunsuke / AMKK

The term floral artistry is inadequate to describe the design of Azuma Makoto and the vision of Shiinoki Shunsuke, who work as a team behind the AMKK studio (an acronym for their initials). Through the creative lens of Shunsuke as his photographer, Makoto elicits awe with his outstanding botanical arrangements. From “Iced Flowers” for Dries Van Noten, to a botanical flower sculpture launched into the stratosphere on weather balloons for “Exobiotanica”, and even submerged plants in the depths of the sea for “Sephirothic Flower,” his signature style carries floral life to places and circumstances that exceed the bounds of the natural. Makoto's latest Mille de Fleur found its place in the Notsuke Peninsula of Hokkaido, Japan, where he has constructed a floral structure coated with icicles on a frozen lake. The sculpture is part of an ongoing series called “Frozen Flowers”, and the artists aim to document the effects of climate change on the peninsula. Makoto is fascinated with documenting nature's perseverance. His philosophy exudes beauty and art into every conceptual approach, making each of his creations distinct.

Having not been technically trained in floral design, Makoto’s process is unconventional. The absence of formal training contributes to his creativity in many ways, allowing him to think outside the box and produce bold and original works. Much of his art is a study of the natural influences of life, beauty, and decay, which has caught the attention of many. Now a significant contributor to the floral artworks exhibited during Milan Design Week, his team also participates in botanical workshops, and showcases floral creations at art galleries, public spaces, and museums worldwide.

Never one to be limited by the bounds of exhibition halls and buildings, Makoto and Shunsuke meticulously plan and execute their daring projects, documenting the natural changes in a piece as different elements come into effect. This is magnificently displayed through “Frozen Flowers”: each icicle intentionally formed by Makoto throughout the night, while contending with diverse environmental factors such as wind, precipitation, and extreme temperatures. At the break of dawn, Shunsuke photographed each striking image of the arrangement melting as the sun rose, immortalizing pivotal moments of a fleeting beauty.

The team’s visionary approach to floral artistry encapsulates the idea of ephemerality through live botanical sculptures placed in unconventional environments. In doing this, they pose bigger questions about the impact of plants in extreme settings, showcasing the resilience and endurance of botanical life in a way rarely seen in art. This has become a signature of Makoto's work, where life and death intertwine within his botanical sculptures. "Frozen Flowers," is a continuation of this innovative technique, and every new creation tests the limits of what is possible in the realm of botanical sculpture.

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