bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - U.S. vs. Overseas Bonsai...

I'm afraid I'll never understand this subject. Bonsai is NOT an Olympic event. Countries are not in "competition", individual BONSAI are. To inter-twine another subject (bonsai-bigotry), what if a Japanese-created bonsai makes its way to the US? Is it now an attribute of my country? Remember, most people had the consensus that the bonsai gets the credit in shows, not the artist.

This geographically-oriented competition is nonsense. Surely we all agree that the Asian cultures deserve the credit for creating bonsai initially, and taking it to a high degree of artistic value. However, their "isolationistic" preference precluded the spread of this endeavor. With the coming of the modern age, this pursuit/skill was expanded to other nationalities where it has seen a proliferation of new growth. Europeans have certainly added to the tangible worth of bonsai, and now the US is seeking to do the same.

I could care less which country is considered "best". To eliminate consideration of ANY country (and it's bonsai artists) is unwise at best, and prejudicial at worst. Such mind-set is of no benefit to anyone. I for one value ANYONE from ANY country and/or region who add artistic worth to bonsai.

John

20-Dec-2004	#20
John Dixon Air Assault All The Way. Join Date: Mar-2004 Location: Huntersville, NC (near Charlotte) Country: USA USDA Zone: 7-8 AHS Heat Zone: 7 Posts: 1,702	I'm afraid I'll never understand this subject. Bonsai is NOT an Olympic event. Countries are not in "competition", individual BONSAI are. To inter-twine another subject (bonsai-bigotry), what if a Japanese-created bonsai makes its way to the US? Is it now an attribute of my country? Remember, most people had the consensus that the bonsai gets the credit in shows, not the artist. This geographically-oriented competition is nonsense. Surely we all agree that the Asian cultures deserve the credit for creating bonsai initially, and taking it to a high degree of artistic value. However, their "isolationistic" preference precluded the spread of this endeavor. With the coming of the modern age, this pursuit/skill was expanded to other nationalities where it has seen a proliferation of new growth. Europeans have certainly added to the tangible worth of bonsai, and now the US is seeking to do the same. I could care less which country is considered "best". To eliminate consideration of ANY country (and it's bonsai artists) is unwise at best, and prejudicial at worst. Such mind-set is of no benefit to anyone. I for one value ANYONE from ANY country and/or region who add artistic worth to bonsai. John __________________ John Dixon Si vis pacem parabellum Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.