Quote:
Originally posted by Carl Bergstrom
Which brings me to my question. We've been talking a lot about bonsai as art, lately. When I think of bonsai art, I think of "creative instatiation of real values", of "sincerity", and of "passion." I don't think of hip cyncism or cutting irony.
So am I missing something? Are bonsai artists creating the sorts of artistic works that speak to these latter ideas? And if not, is that to the advantage of bonsai as an artform (in that it avoids false idols of contempory pseudoartistic fashion) or to its disadvantage (in that it is unable to move beyond an outdated sentimentalism based on positive affirmation of supposedly real values)?
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I don't believe you are missing anything at all, I think that when it comes to any artform the opperative words from what you have quoted are "creative instantiation". Any artist no matter what their medium will try to bring about an end, based on what they feel.While, at the same time, there are those who would consider themselves artists who use a "cookie cutter" mentality to create something that they can capitalize on. In that case I believe that should not be considered art (I'm not saying artist shouldn't sell their work! They should if they want to).
What appeals to me about bonsai is it ability to make me feel more connected with nature. When I look at the "Crash Bonsai", while I do not deny it's quality as art, I am not moved because I'm not drawn to the destruction aspect of it. I can also say art designed to evoke "cyncism or cutting irony" does not generally appeal to me.
Some on this forum have spoken on whether or not bonsai is an art. I say yes it is. When my daughter presented her first finger painting to me she was very proud of it and in her eyes was the question, "Is this art?". When I looked at it the only answer that I could give to that question was yes! To me it was art, perhaps the audience that would appreciate it as such isn't more than 15 or 20 of my close friends and family but that doesn't demean it's quality.
In my opinion what we have been missing in this debate is the question(s), is bonsai marketable art? And if so to what degree is it so? I consider myself a bonsai artist, even though I am very new to bonsai and I have not produced anything marketable. I have put my creative juices into the artform.
Perhaps when it comes to the arts in general, "sentimentalism" is no longer as marketable as it used to be.
My $.02,
JP <= a staunch sentimentalist
BTW, thanks for reading my ramblings.
