Never before have we needed symbols of beauty, solidarity and peace as much as we do now. It is with these values in mind that in recent days Azuma Makoto has set to work in one of the most spectacular locations in Japan. 

Inside the “hill of lavander” near Sapporo, just where a few years ago the architect Tadao Ando created a huge statue of a Buddha, the floral artist has created an installation entitled “Atamadaibutsu to hana”, or “the hill of Buddha and flowers. 

Right between the hands of the huge statue, Azuma Makoto placed a giant bouquet of flowers. At this time of year, the colors of the different flowers create a contrast with the white of the snow that covers both the hill and the statue. It is a representation of hope, of something that manages to bloom despite the weather. 

As he did a year ago, the artist took advantage of the extremely low temperatures to freeze the flowers by spraying water on them and thus managing to keep their beauty intact.