bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - The Gentle Art Of Bonsai Criticsm

In my travels I am often asked to critique bonsai trees. This is not an easy thing to do.

Actually it is an easy thing to criticize but a hard thing to give a good evaluation of some ones trees.

To do this one has to be able to filter out their personal tastes and go on pure artistic merits. Not an easy thing to do. After all we are not androids. We cannot help but think our way is best and all others have fallen short of that mark. The standards must be , well, standard. Not just our opinion.

Problem is when standards are set the first victim is usually artistic expression. The next is motivation. With standards comes sameness. Sameness breeds boredom. And boredom kills art.

Did you ever notice that most critiques center on a branch or the apex of the tree. Some go straight for the pot. Scars on the trunk are another favorite.

Seldom does the evaluator look at the whole picture. Is that over all picture pleasing. Tiny parts of the tree are picked apart. This branch needs to be moved 3 degrees to the right. The pot needs to be a darker shade of blue. On and on the list goes.

It is easy to find fault. Tunnel vision will always point the way.

Another problem with a critique is why it is given. Was it asked for or just put out.

There are several ways one can say “What do think of this tree”

One way is to ask for constructive criticism and hope for the best. But some people put their pride and joy in front of you and ask “what do you think” hoping you will see how hard they have worked. Do they both deserve the same answer.

I have learned to first look the owner of the tree straight in the eyes. Determine what he is asking for.

Then step back and look not only at the tree but the spirit of the tree. See what the artist was trying to do. Look at the whole tree. See, as they used to say in the military, the whole picture.

And remember behind every bonsai there is a real person waiting for you to say something. When you tear his or her tree down you also are ripping a person apart. Tell the truth but be gentle. Try to encourage.

One day you will be on the receiving end. Hopefully those looking at your trees will know what you mean when you say “WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS TREE”.

11-Feb-2003	#9
RonMartin(deceased) Bonsai nare-do-well Join Date: Jan-2003 Location: Summerville SC Country: USA USDA Zone: 8A AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 4,653	In my travels I am often asked to critique bonsai trees. This is not an easy thing to do. Actually it is an easy thing to criticize but a hard thing to give a good evaluation of some ones trees. To do this one has to be able to filter out their personal tastes and go on pure artistic merits. Not an easy thing to do. After all we are not androids. We cannot help but think our way is best and all others have fallen short of that mark. The standards must be , well, standard. Not just our opinion. Problem is when standards are set the first victim is usually artistic expression. The next is motivation. With standards comes sameness. Sameness breeds boredom. And boredom kills art. Did you ever notice that most critiques center on a branch or the apex of the tree. Some go straight for the pot. Scars on the trunk are another favorite. Seldom does the evaluator look at the whole picture. Is that over all picture pleasing. Tiny parts of the tree are picked apart. This branch needs to be moved 3 degrees to the right. The pot needs to be a darker shade of blue. On and on the list goes. It is easy to find fault. Tunnel vision will always point the way. Another problem with a critique is why it is given. Was it asked for or just put out. There are several ways one can say “What do think of this tree” One way is to ask for constructive criticism and hope for the best. But some people put their pride and joy in front of you and ask “what do you think” hoping you will see how hard they have worked. Do they both deserve the same answer. I have learned to first look the owner of the tree straight in the eyes. Determine what he is asking for. Then step back and look not only at the tree but the spirit of the tree. See what the artist was trying to do. Look at the whole tree. See, as they used to say in the military, the whole picture. And remember behind every bonsai there is a real person waiting for you to say something. When you tear his or her tree down you also are ripping a person apart. Tell the truth but be gentle. Try to encourage. One day you will be on the receiving end. Hopefully those looking at your trees will know what you mean when you say “WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS TREE”.