"Benibana" is an ongoing project initiated by Karolina Wysocka in 2023 during her residency in Fukujusou, Kyoto. It involves collecting scraps of red kimono linings and sewing them into a large-scale patchwork with the local community in different parts of Japan. The project, in its conception, is endless and assumes the involvement of as many people as possible, who will be its active co-authors.
The title "Benibana" refers to a plant from the chrysanthemum family, literally called ‘red flower’, used as a natural dye for fabrics, including kimono linings, which has been withdrawn from use in kimonos since 1945 for unknown reasons. Wysocka explores the cultural and social significance of this material and its color.
The project emphasizes collective, nomadic, transnational action through the simple act of hand sewing. Although the patchwork serves as an intriguing textile installation displayed in galleries, central to the project is building relationships with local residents and fostering co-creation through workshops, challenging notions of authorship.