concept:
Vox Populi 2019
In Japan the cherry blossoms, 桜、represent tradition, beauty, and the coming of spring. The spring festival, one of Japan’s biggest national celebrations every year, is observed to celebrate the wonders of nature and the beauty of the cherry trees. The Celebration in Washington DC mimics its parent celebration, honoring the Japanese culture by centering the festival around the trees instead of the country they come from.
The trees are seen as one of the most important parts of the capital’s image and have been so for about a hundred years. Sprouting from one woman’s desire, these beauties were planted on one block in DC after she suggested the idea to the First Lady, who full-heartedly agreed. When the Japanese Ambassador heard about their plan, he decided to donate 2,000 cherry trees as a gift from Tokyo to signify the Friendship of the two Nations. Making the trees as synonymous with DC as any of the historic monuments of stone.
This is why my design married the two concepts of a tradition from each Nation: the beautiful architecture of some of DC’s most memorable monuments with the organic beauty of the traditional Japanese cherry blossoms, seeking to honor both Japan’s celebration and to truly represent its American counterpart.
Designed by: Marie Steiger