Al:
This art question is a good discussion to get started during this long hot summer.
The display of the grass or bonsai is very artistic. The photograph of the display is also very artistic. When Carl takes his photo he can print it and sign it and it will be forever recognized as his art. The grass planting or the bonsai tree cannot be signed in such a way and recorded as the product of the artist.
Living sculptured bonsai trees are a fine art form as far as I am concerned. The bonsai tree is begun with a plan and an initial styling that is analogous to a painters sketch or a sculptor’s clay model. As the bonsai art piece continues under the creative hand of bonsai artist the form changes as new areas of growth are developed or eliminated. This tree development corresponds to the creation process the painter other artist uses to create the artwork. The final polishing and refinement of the bonsai artwork is performed with every branch wired into place and the final form is achieved. The tree is ready for display and the admiration of the public. At this point the painter or sculptor would sign the work and the final art would be displayed and enjoyed. The artwork will be credited to the artist in forever. Once a piece of fine art has been completed and purchased the buyer does not paint over a painting, carve on a sculpture or change the art in any way.
Bonsai art is different from other fine arts because the tree continues to grow and change and the completed work is never kept as the artist finalized it. The bonsai art must be constantly worked to even keep it similar the final form the creation artist desired. As a bonsai artist I would like to be able to sign my artwork and be credited with it creation of the artwork for years to come. How can a bonsai artist show the final art as a completed work and receive credit? In another thread Al Keppler Said:
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“I hope to make bonsai one day that someone will be able to say Al Keppler styled this tree.”
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A signature on the art would help you achieve this acknowledgement.
As you have pointed out a 2D photo is another piece of art separate from the bonsai or grass display. I think that the problem of not being able to credit a single artist with a creation of art in the form of a bonsai for an enduring time is one of the factors that the public evaluates when the true nature of bonsai as art or craft is considered.
Gareth