bnsaijim

That trident happens to be one of my favorite trees, for a number of reasons. Perhaps the roots are unrealistic. Then again maybe they aren't. There is a wonderful technical accomplishemtn here.

Part of bonsai for me is fantasy driven... the images of truly ancient gnarled trees in a forest primordial are what attract me. Imagine this trident being some ancient tree in the forest, climb among the roots... My favorite viewpoint of my trees is with my head underneath the branch structure looking up... I love watching Disney movies for that reason- nobody draws an old tree like those artists...

There aren't many of these trees left- the ones that are 600, 700 years old... sprawling branches, roots that DO spread for yards, bonded together in places. These trees that break all the rules...

I think the definition of "illusion of age" may be in a flux. People think that the 50 year old oak that the developers missed is "old"...

Andy is certainly right in that canopies need balance. Yes, this is an extreme case... Not really realistic, even with respect to the exaggerations necessary to achieve the illusions of size, age, balance...

If one were to consider the various art movements, how many embrace the subject exactly as it appears? One- "Realism". The others distort reality as they see fit, to make representations of their inner workings. Some abandon recognizable subject matter completely, relying solely on the viewers "gut" to deliver the message.

At the risk of reviving the inane endless art vs. craft argument, as Matt pointed out to me in another thread, the kanji define bonsai as "plant" (not even limitted to trees) in a "container"... Nothing denoting "realism"... I think we all agree that there is an element of art in everyone's bonsai... So see each work as you would a painting or sculpture...

There may be an artistic statement that accounts for the extreme exaggeration. I'd have to go digging in my library to see if the artist creating this work alluded to any messages he wished to impart. Maybe he was going for a representation of the common bond the whole world share. Who knows...

Extremism does not have to be your cup of tea. Perhaps your own inventory of natural imagery simply does not allow you to interpret certain works as "real trees". Maybe you missed the elementary school trip to the modern art museum so never learned simple art apprectiation...

I would contend that one might do a great disservice to one's self and work by not at least seeking to understand what the message is. Even as hobbyists we should seek to push our own boundaries...

Peace,

Jim
TX