Botanical Animation "Story of Flowers I"

Produced by AMKK  

Directed by Azuma Makoto

Illustration by Katie Scott   

Animation by James Paulley

This "Botanical Animation" is an independent art project from AMKK, who has created various works of art using flowers and plants.

The animation was developed to showcase the life cycle of flowers for children. Azuma created the original story and enlisted the talented London-based illustrator Katie Scott and animator James Paulley to bring the animation to life.

Flowers of different species are growing beautifully and strongly in this world. They take root in the earth, sprout, bloom, undergo pollination by birds and insects, and persist in spite of rain, wind and storms. They pass on the baton of life, experiencing rebirth and decay. Everything unfolds in a continuous, endless cycle. This animation vividly narrates the story of flowers and conveys the powerful message of their life cycle.

Katie's delicate and lively illustrations captivate the screen, enabling both children and adults to immerse themselves in this remarkable journey.

Azuma Makoto has been in the flower business since 2002, and he is the owner of the haute-couture floral shop, “JARDINS des FLEURS” in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. In 2005, in addition to his role as a florist, he began to explore the possibilities of expression using flowers and plants, expanding his artistic endeavours beyond the confines of traditional floral art. By starting with his solo exhibition in New York, he has presented a number of leading-edge works worldwide, including Europe, the United States, Asia, and South America. In 2009, he launched an experimental botanical collective, "Azuma Makoto, Kaju Kenkyusho (AMKK)," and since then, he has continued to present experimental works at museums, art galleries, and public spaces both in Japan and overseas. In recent years, he has exhibited artworks that explores the connection between people and flowers. He has been pursuing the beauty of flowers and plants from a unique point of view, presenting a collection of large-scale works known as the "Botanical Sculpture". Simultaneously, he also delved into a micro world where flowers are projected using X-ray technology, maximizing the inherent charms of flowers to represent "life."