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Art is defined by the masses, refined by the knowledgeable and belittled by the uncomprehending.
An artist must first capture the imagination of the public. The public first must recognize that art then define it. A critic must not only recognize the art but understand it. Then and only then can he/she critique the art.
Sad to say, in bonsai the artists only talk to bonsai people. Bonsai people seem to always hide their trees from the public. Bonsai shows usually (by cost) exclude not only the masses but also most of the bonsai people. The critics seem to have only operable mouths and moving lips.
There is no basic core of instruction. No, if any, real schools. Not even many fake ones ;o)
Basically there are a few artists and a host of critics. But not a whole lot of promoters.
Many of us talk about these big Bonsai Organizations. Tie the whole world together in bonsai. But who will be the members of these organizations. What will they accomplish.
California has a thriving bonsai community. But it came about because people like John Naka ( and a whole host of others) convinced the public it was a good thing. The same happened in Florida because of Mary Madison, Jim Smith , Jim Moody etc. ( I know more names here but the idea is the same) The Carolinas had E. Felton Jones.
They did this by educating the public. They got out there to spread the word. They worked hard at it.
Now we only have artists that talk to the closed bonsai circuit and I hate to say it the CRITICS.
As a group we alienate the people that might want to get in. We don't encourage the beginner.
Mostly we shoot ourselves in the foot and wonder why it hurts. Is it any wonder bonsai hasn't progressed too far in the US in the past 50 or so years.
Wonder how far it would have gotten if we had just followed the footsteps of the "old guys"
Some how I think the boat has sailed and we are still on the dock deciding who will be on what deck.

9-Jan-2004	#16
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	Art is defined by the masses, refined by the knowledgeable and belittled by the uncomprehending. An artist must first capture the imagination of the public. The public first must recognize that art then define it. A critic must not only recognize the art but understand it. Then and only then can he/she critique the art. Sad to say, in bonsai the artists only talk to bonsai people. Bonsai people seem to always hide their trees from the public. Bonsai shows usually (by cost) exclude not only the masses but also most of the bonsai people. The critics seem to have only operable mouths and moving lips. There is no basic core of instruction. No, if any, real schools. Not even many fake ones ;o) Basically there are a few artists and a host of critics. But not a whole lot of promoters. Many of us talk about these big Bonsai Organizations. Tie the whole world together in bonsai. But who will be the members of these organizations. What will they accomplish. California has a thriving bonsai community. But it came about because people like John Naka ( and a whole host of others) convinced the public it was a good thing. The same happened in Florida because of Mary Madison, Jim Smith , Jim Moody etc. ( I know more names here but the idea is the same) The Carolinas had E. Felton Jones. They did this by educating the public. They got out there to spread the word. They worked hard at it. Now we only have artists that talk to the closed bonsai circuit and I hate to say it the CRITICS. As a group we alienate the people that might want to get in. We don't encourage the beginner. Mostly we shoot ourselves in the foot and wonder why it hurts. Is it any wonder bonsai hasn't progressed too far in the US in the past 50 or so years. Wonder how far it would have gotten if we had just followed the footsteps of the "old guys" Some how I think the boat has sailed and we are still on the dock deciding who will be on what deck.