bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Bonsai and religious/ mythology symbolism

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attila

That's certainly a key ingredient to create original art. The power of one's passion and belief in something.

On the other hand, look at the paintings of the middle ages, where more than half of masterpieces had a religious/christian theme. How many Nativity or Ascension themes have we seen. Probably each artist has one.

Could the same thing be done in bonsai? Theoretically, yes. Practically, that's a big question mark, so far nobody has the courage. The first thing coming out of the bonsai police's mouth would be: "it's against the rules", or "this is not really bonsai".

I think there is fundamentally quite a bit of difference between a painting of the Nativity scene, which is the subject and focus of every thing the artist has set out to accomplish, and a bonsai which is trying to be two things at the same time. As far as bonsai is concerned there is the concept of commitment which would have to be totally skirted on this one. A bonsai is a bonsai, good, bad, or mediocre it is first understood to be a bonsai. I have no clue how you would make a Nativity scene out of a bonsai but if it were possible I would wager that the Nativity Police would cry foul and the bonsai police would cry Kit ch. It might be possible to make a Noah's Ark bonsai but it might look more whimsy than serious bonsai.