Week One
Complete presentation of reasons and research with small scale design for festival of flowers exhibition.
Week Two
Global Current Affairs
Government Suggestion to Aid Increasing Childcare Costs
The government have recently suggested lowering the staff to child ration regulations within childcare in order to combat increasing costs. This will mean 1 adult is responsible for 4 infants under 3. Childcare costs have risen by 44% since 2010. The government proposal is estimated to reduce the cost by 15% but has come under criticism by organizations such as the National Day Nurses Association. The NDNA has said a meaningful difference can only be achieved by the government fronting the full cost for funded child places. Other organizations have also brought into question how this will affect the safety and care quality of the children. How will the, already overworked staff, who are often underpaid and under appreciated for their important role in society, will reacted to the added burden without compensation?
1 in 8 Likely to Struggle with Period Poverty
With the increasing cost of living more women are coming forward expressing concern about affording sanitary products and having access to related health care when needed. In 2021 Scotland ensured that all sanitary products would be free to those who need it, many women now calling to make this a UK wide decision claiming the 5% VAT decrease did not help those effected.
Increase in Domestic Abuse during Pandemic is still Facing Ripple Effects
Globally there was an 8% increase in domestic abuse cases during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Due to logistically issues as well as the increase in victims, victims are still suffering the backlog. Pre-pandemic it took on average 30 days for motion to be heard. Now it takes at least 40 just to get your motion docketed and then another 30 – 60 days of waiting thereafter to move further along the process. This could be leaving many victims in vulnerable and uncomfortable positions, especially those with children.
‘Club of Nations’
European leaders are set to meet in Prague to discuss a proposal by Emmanuel Macron, French President. He is proposing a political union focusing on security, energy, transport and the movement of people within Europe. The proposals for the group in the long term are unclear and critics claim the project is vague. Emmanuel macron also has links with Klaus Schwab who has written provoking manifestos about suggested futures for society.
Discrimination in Berlin for LGBTQ Refugees
Berlin, which is usually prided on being a place which celebrates its LGBTQ community has been criticized for failing to extend that kindness to queer refugees. Particularly the Syrian community, some refugees staying in Berlin feel German law tends to turn a blind eye to hate crime aimed at them whilst remaining vigilant with German victims of discrimination. Others have come forward expressing they have faced discrimination from within the LGBTQ community itself. Some being the victims of sexual assault as their assailant is confident the police will not pursue the claims. Organizations and fundraisers have been established to tackle the issue such as the Christopher Street Day Parade and the Queens Against Borders Collective. But the victims of the discrimination still feel more could be done and such events remain whitewashed and selective in representation.
Sources
Brooksbank, K. (2022) Period poverty: one in eight likely to struggle to afford sanitary products they need in next year, Yougov.co.uk. YouGov. Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2022/09/14/period-poverty-one-eight-likely-struggle-afford-sa (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
Levkowitz, J. (2022) For queer Syrians in Germany, all that glitters is not gold, Institute of Current World Affairs. Available at: https://www.icwa.org/lgbtq-syrians-in-germany/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
Mineo, L. (2022) ‘Shadow pandemic’ of domestic violence, Harvard Gazette. Available at: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/06/shadow-pandemic-of-domestic-violence/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
Parker, J. (2022) “UK considers joining new European nations club,” 20 September. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62967084 (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
(No date) Parliament.uk. Available at: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/current-affairs-digest-social-policy-july-2022/ (Accessed: September 20, 2022).
Pinterest link to comprehensive list of research
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/heidibforster/current-affairs-non-floristry/
Current Affairs Issues in Floristry
Floral Tributes to the Queen – how have the environmental implications of this been addressed?
Over 60 million flowers have been left as tribute to Queen Elizabeth II passing, leaving breath taking displays around her various residencies. This, however, does come with environmental costs. In order to combat this the palace has issues statements requesting organic, biodegradable gestures of sorrow, rather than stuffed toys and candles. They have also provided links for people to send condolences online and offer tribute in way of donation to one of her majesty’s many charities. Funky Pigeon, the card company have offered free sympathy cards for members of the public to send to the royal family. Volunteers have devoted their time to removing and recycling the packaging of the flowers. The palace has also urged visitors of all stators to avoid private transport and use the more efficient public alternatives. Royal staff have also been moving the flowers at the end of each day and plan to compost them once ready to do so. King Charles III also chose a totally sustainable wreath for The Queen’s coffin.
Factors unaddressed is the inflation cost faced by florist due to supply and demand increases from suppliers. The increased travel into London, despite encouragement to use public transport pilgrimage is still significantly higher. Are cards a sustainable alternative? Where and how were the flowers grown, surely more will have been imported due to the magnitude of The Queen’s passing.
How Trends in Instagram effect the Independent Florist
Recently Kylie Jenner called out Instagram for becoming too similar to Tik Tok and travelling too far from its original photography roots. This gave hope to florists who rely on social media exposure in order to expand and maintain their business. However, a spokesperson for Instagram responded explaining his prediction that video is an inevitable future but can live symbiotically with photography.
Implications to consider, will the increase of video steer social media promotion away from the product and on to the creator. Videos make more sense as demonstrations which could shift the competition from floristry skill and on to personality and attractiveness. It is also known that social media has algorithmic bias against ethnic minorities, so would this jeopardize their exposure and success? It also creates an unintentional bias to those less technology minded, it is much easier to take and edit a successful photograph. There is more skill and technique involved with a video, putting them in danger of falling behind due to the change in trends. Seems unfair that you need a talent in filmography to succeed in an unrelated discipline.
High Tech Greenhouses
Netherlands being the leading pioneers of this technology are finding continuous success from their revolutionary ‘Smart’ greenhouses with seemingly no catch. They have reported a 90% reduction in water use in key crops which has also caused a reduction in fertilizer as the method of this is to recycle the water and nutrients through a condensation recycling process. They claim to have eliminated pesticides and use biological exterminators. The humidity and energy control are fueled by geothermic and solar power and the windows have advanced technology allowing them to allow insulation and cooling when necessary.
Areas for discussion include the implications this will have on small, local farmers and gardeners who could not afford the start up fees for this type of technology. It is estimated that it takes 3-5 years to earn back the initial expense of this venture. They also may find it hard to access and install renewable power implements. They also come with high operating expenses which may be difficult to maintain if demand fails to meet production. Could this encourage people to grow illegal substances due to the reduction in time consumption and effort required to harvest healthy crops with a High Tech Greenhouse?
The Effects of the War in Ukraine on the Flower Industry
As major suppliers of fertilizer and consumers from the Kenyan cut flower industry, the ongoing war in Ukraine has had global, degenerative, implications on the industry. Kenya not only imports most of their fertilizer from Russia and Ukraine but it also exports most of its flowers to them. As both countries are under a no flight rule neither of these trades are possible causing the Kenyan cut flower trade, and economy to face critical pressure.
Additionally, a scientific facility named Ukrainian Gene Bank of Plants, which housed many unique plants and seeds, recently came under Russian fire. The damage caused very rare and irreplaceable seeds to be lost.
Brexit’s impact on Floriculture
Ever since Brexit came to be, the government have implemented ever increasing regulations on the horticulture and floriculture industry. Increasingly stringent changes were brought into play from 1st July 2022 requiring ever more paperwork. A direct result of this is more frequent and thorough inspections of trucks carrying organic goods which adds to delays in transit. The transportation of flowers now also requires a phytosanitary certificate which must be signed off by a government official, further extending delays.
Not only do fresh cut flowers expire quickly making quick transit imperative for their success, but florists also must work within certain time constraints for their events and displays. They may have also timed their delivery to synchronize the bloom of the flowers, delays will tarnish this. It is also estimated that the new rules will impose £100 mil on importing cost to the UK and wholesale prices are set to rise between 5% and 10%. The accessories that accompany floristry, such as ribbon, wrapping and foam have also increased in cost since Brexit. Increasing energy prices have pushed cold grow flowers which often results in smaller blooms, meaning more flowers need to be used. And finally, nursery and farm owners have lost many employees due to European nationals losing their right to work in the UK following Brexit.
1. This is an article about how trends in Instagram affect florists. I found it really interesting as it is such an obvious factor in the industry that i had not considered. I have also had a few ideas relating to this topic for my festival of flowers exhibition. Research and development for this will be on my Floral Art page.
What is Sustainability and how is it affecting our industry?
Sustainability is the collective consciousness of people in the present preserving resources for those in the future. Sustainability effects every industry as everyone requires resources, some of which are depleting quickly. Due to the already present effects of climate change it is everyone’s responsibility to adapt their materials and methods so they can maintain the resources we already have.
Sustainability effects the floristry industry in many ways. Some obvious ones being transportation of flowers, use of floral form and plastic packaging. Flowers are transported all over the world, though may find themselves returning to where they came from. Floral foam is made from non-recyclable plastics. Now suppliers are offering biodegradable substitutes, which may not be as effective, leaving florists with a tough decision. But not only do florists have a social pressure to be as sustainable as possible more certificates are now required requiring more time and sometimes cost. Certain fertilizers and pesticides have been band increasing costs from suppliers. Water and energy rates have also increased which effects
Research: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/heidibforster/what-is-sustainability/
Brexit and how it affects floristry
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I found whilst researching this particular area to be quite the can of worms. Brexit's affects floristry in so many ways! From the indirect implications we all face such as the rises in energy and fuel costs to very specific criteria such as Phytosanitary certificates. I am still very unsure on how to depict this in an art piece and did feel rather overwhelmed by the terminology and intricacies of this topic, so I am tempted to leave this for now.
Articles I found of particular interest and why:
I chose this article as it is the most concise and legible to the untrained eye, which was very helpful when looking into to such a vast topic.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/lingohack/ep-210414#:~:text=Extra%20post-Brexit%20checks%20on%20these%20sorts%20of%20flowers,to%20the%20UK.%20Jaap%20Moerman%20-%20Flower%20grower
SMART Targets for next week:
1. Have all Blog pages to this standard
2. Research Instagram trends
3. Complete power point about Instagram
4. Start sketching ideas for festival of flowers
5. Complete homework for the other modules
Week Four
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1.Sketch and upload some design ideas
2. Do some more research on social media trends
3. Look into different ways I can suspend my design whilst keeping my flowers fresh
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