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Tamie's Tips - July 2001
A Tribute to Silverio Casabar - Part 1
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 Tayama and Silverio. Silverio and Tayama. Either way you say it, the two are synonomous. Silverio Casabar credits Tayama founders (and my parents) Fred and Chiyo Tayama as being instrumental in helping start his first California business in the late 1950s. Tayama has likewise been honored to have Silverio as both a friend and business associate. Silverio has never refused our requests to design at our many Los Angeles Flower Market Open Houses, as well as at numerous trade shows. In every show that Silverio has done for Tayama, he has always been awarded "Best Designer" or "Best Booth Display." Besides being a skilled floral artist, Silverio is a gifted teacher as well. He takes great pleasure in sharing his wealth of knowledge through the popular design classes he teaches at our stores.
Though in his mid-80s, Silverio is in constant motion. He still works full-time in Palm Desert, California, designing homes for a clientele of some of the world's most influential and wealthy people. But as usual, when we asked him to create the floral designs for our booth at the recent LA Fleur Expo 2001, he agreed without hesitation. He arrived the day before the event, and worked very late into the evening. The results were yet another series of Silverio Casabar floral masterpieces. His work was so absolutely beautiful that I decided to dedicate this and next month's Tips column to his show designs.
Part 1 of this series, shown this month, demonstrates the use of Ti Leaf and other foliage for dramatic effect in large arrangements, without blowing your budget. Next month we'll feature weaving, braiding and the Ti Leaf rosette.
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Using Ti Leaf and other foliage for dramatic, yet cost-effect large results
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This large display was created by Silverio for the Hollywood Park Turf Club back in 1966. The timeless nature of his design approach is evident and still highly sought-after. (The photo is reprinted by permission from the book "Tropical & Contemporary Floral Design," which Silverio co-authored with Phil Rulloda). |
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Silverio's creative process never ceases to amaze and inspire. He begins with a long flower stem (sans flower head) and says, "I am going to create something really tall." He gathers several large green ti leaf bunches, then wraps and ties them to the stalk. It looks quite simple and fast, but in reality, he forms them "just so" by using the natural bends and curves of the leaves. This is one reason why his classes are so popular, because this type of arranging is something that must be witnessed, then repetitively practiced until mastered. Take note that Silverio only used 3 bunches of Ti for this arrangement!
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A short while later, after forming and weaving two more large arrangements, he exclaims "I need a ladder and someone to lift these arrangements for me."
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This is a close-up of the center arrangement. Silverio created customized, modular stands that connect to each other, allowing him to produce huge arrangements limited only by the number of helpers he can persuade to help him lift them! (If you attend one of Silverio's classes, you can find out how to create your own custom stands.)
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Green and red. These complementary primary colors work well with each other for dramatic effect. This single large arrangement is actually two combined. The lower level is a foliar "nesting area" for the Hala "bird." The upper arrangement is a spectacular blending of green Ti leaf, curved hala, and woven arecas accentuated by large red anthuriums. The effect is of an exotic water fountain, complete with a visiting bird, don't you think? The foliage weaving, and more examples of the use of green and red, are detailed in his book.
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Note how each red Anthurium is in perfect alignment and symmetry with the total arrangement. Is it no wonder that Silverio spent his youth helping his adopted father landscape and decorate the gardens of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Hawaii? His architectural background is readily apparent.
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