Aina Genovés

Crafting Nature: The Sensory Art of Floral Design

For Aina Genovés, floral design is a creative language where each petal, stem, and color tells a story. Born and raised in Mallorca, Aina grew up with a deep devotion to emulating the beauty around her. For almost 20 years, the creative poured herself into her dance training, a unique background that continues to influence Aina’s aesthetics and artistic vision.

With a focus on balance, harmony, and the deeper intentions behind each flower arrangement, Aina choreographs colors and textures into bouquets that engage the senses and bring spaces to life. In her workshop, she invites dada-days students to experience the magic of creating with flowers – guiding them to see each bloom not only as a flower, but a unique living medium waiting to be curated.

Learn more about Aina in our interview below:

Hi Aina, we are very happy to have you as dada-days’ first florist. Tell us about your creative path and what led you to get started in floral design.

All of my career choices have been made within the artistic field. Whether it be through drama, dance, performance, design, or yoga, (etc.) –  my multidisciplinary past has shaped my career and training. Through this holistic approach to creativity, I have found floral design to be a perfect union of the fundamental elements that allow me to express myself artistically; the curation of their shapes, colors, and even the spaces found in between are a natural extension of my creative voice.

This past year I joined a floristry course in Barcelona and found something that I identified with creatively and personally. It was an opening into a new creative world. I realized that, as a subject, I was interested in flowers because of their sensitive nature: their fleeting beauty and the opportunity to work with things that are alive and ephemeral. This theme has been carried through much of my work – the appreciation of the here and now – what is present before us. 

As a Mallorcan, you have a deep connection to the island. Do you think Mallorca is a creative place? What is special about growing up and living here? 

I think Mallorca is a place that favors being creative because of the unique environment that surrounds you: its traditions, nature, and people. Growing up here with your own culture, language and surroundings, makes you open your mind in unusual ways. What I appreciate about growing up here is that every weekend there was some kind of beach, mountain or outdoor plan. There is no need to search for inspiration here because it is all around you, and as you grow up here – its essence becomes part of you.

As a dancer, you used to organize workshops with dada-days, teaching your creative movement class. How has your unique background in dance and performing arts influenced you personally and creatively? 

Dance has influenced me in every way possible. It’s helped me have a more open perspective on communicating with my body, with others, and on creativity in general. Whether it be through the colors of the set, music, costumes, etc. dance taught me to see each creative project as a whole where all the elements have their individual meaning and purpose yet come together in harmony. Like a choreographer, a florist must be able to see and appreciate each element, but also understand the bigger picture, bringing each piece together to create a visually unified work of art.

You mentioned that floral design is much more than putting flowers in a vase. How can this seemingly simple craft be deceiving? 

As any other form of art, floral design is a creative language. Different flowers have different meanings. We bring certain flowers to funerals, weddings, anniversaries… They can be found around the world and each have a unique emotion or occasions attached that go far beyond their organic form. 
Because flowers are living subjects, there is a special magic behind each bouquet. As the creator, you have to have a vision and see beyond the flower to be able to do meaningful work that combines aesthetics, functionality, harmony, taste, and the client’s objective. All of this goes far beyond simply putting flowers in a vase *laughs*.

What do you hope students will take away from their workshop experience? What skills can they expect to learn?

I hope to convey that floral design goes beyond what it appears – it is a way to elevate any occasion and allow all the senses to come together. Aside from taking home a beautiful bouquet, I want students to leave with more confidence in their own aesthetic eye and the ability to adapt this craft to any space or recipient they choose. Like an artist painting a picture, I hope students find a new appreciation for creating with color, texture, and visual rhythm, all represented through a unique bouquet they can appreciate themselves or share with someone they love.

As a dancer and florist, you have a very collaborative spirit. What projects are you most proud of? Are there any upcoming projects we can pursue?

I founded my creative studio, CARDO, as a space where all creative forms related to flowers fit together. It is a space for me to be free and for flowers to take the spotlight – not just as a complement. It’s a project that allows me to connect with new people and satisfy my many creative facets. Looking toward the future, I would like to explore joining my two disciplines (dance and floral design). Thinking about the different fusions that can be created, I see many commonalities between them – a dance of flowers/flowers in movement…

But what satisfies me above all is bringing my clients’ visions to life. As a collaborator I really enjoy helping people create spaces they love or helping them make special things for people they care about. These genuine intentions are what drive me and I can’t wait to share my passion with dada-days’ students.