MattO

This argument seems to be everywhere I look on internet bonsai sites. I personally find it as much a statement of the egos of those on either side of the issue as anything else.

I believe that trees are beautiful, can be artistic, and I marvel at their beauty. But I do have a problem with competitions ( oh, excuse me -"shows").
On the one hand we have those espousing the artistic talents of the "creator" of the bonsai, and what they have achieved. And most attempt to emulate their techniques and processes based on the so-called "rules". And whether or not readily admitted, they do consider themselves "artists".

How many times have we read postings proudly detailing how "well-known-so-and-so " came over and styled my tree, and here's the results - now I just need to trim this a bit, and it will be great"....
Then on the other hand, there are those who purchase a specimen that has been grown, or collected by others, do some additional styling and proclaim it "their" creation?

And in both cases they will display, and take credit for the results in a show.
As with most club activities, bonsai clubs breed competition. But art cannot be judged against the merits of others -
Just how do we judge art? Art, and beauty, is as they say- "in the eye of the beholder". How do we take any endeavor, apply rules, and then call it art? What makes the product of one artist "better" than the next?

If we are judging the handiwork of an individual, and then applying a set of rules arrived at through some historical concensus, and comparing it based on those principals with other work, then we cannot call it "art". At this level it is craft.

If we are to truly believe bonsai is an art form (I think it can be) , then how can we apply rules, and have competitions?



Matt