Blühender Kirschbaum (Cherry Blossoms) combines the text of German poet Johannes Bobrowski with the photographs of artist Veronika Schäpers in an accordian bound piece that, when unfolded, resembles a Japanese scroll.

In reading his poetry, Schäpers discovered Bobrowski’s artistic appreciation of blooming cherry trees, which recalled for her a familiar Japanese way of admiring the world-famous blossoms. For this piece, Schapers mounted six photographs, one on top of the other, which she took at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo of people admiring the blossoms. Together with the unprinted white frame, the piece refers to a kakemono, the traditional Japanese hanging scrolI typically displayed in an alcove in the home, specially designated to display objects of value and artistry. If you stretch the unfolded sheet, the text becomes visible between the photos.

The folded booklet is kept in a small case that is tied with a paper string called mizuhiki, traditionally used to tie gift-wrapped articles and to make ornaments.

Text: Johannes Bobrowski
Photographs: Veronika Schäpers, taken at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo during the cherry blossom season of 2000.
Inkjet print. Accordion binding. Folded. 24 cm x 5 cm; unfolded 24 cm x 94 cm. 20 Arabic numbered copies, 8 Roman numbered copies printed on Kozo paper. Slipcase made of ganpi boards and ganpi paper, title printed in red, laced with mizuhiki papercord. 2000.