The pieces in this series are inspired by the minimalism of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. I culled these stalks in late fall along the French Broad River at Carrier Park in Asheville, NC. I was drawn to this plant by its dark black matte finish which I was unable to completely preserve in the final pieces. In #4, the stalks retain the coiled vining stalks of another plant which had stiffened and dried in the cold November weather.