FredL

Andy, this is a wonderful thread, stimulating, with much to think about.

Myself, I don't think that the contribution of "enthusiasts who are not artists" can be overstated. Until the Bonsai community begins to attract such people in large numbers, there is no way that Bonsai will be legitimatized as a valid and important cultural expression.

Whether it is "art" I will leave to others.

My observation of the Bonsai Community is that too few of us are willing to extend our welcome to such people and support for their interest. There seems to be too little appreciation for the contributions of such people. Where would professional sports be today if it did not actively court the support of its fans? Six guys playing pickup basketball on an otherwise deserted cement surfaced inner-city court? Two gals playing tennis on a court with grass growing though the cracks in the asphault? TV without Sports programs?

Bonsai is an activity which does not fit well with alot of contemporary culture. Americans, in particular, are too mobile, too enamored with what is current and fasionable, too driven to seek sensation and immediate gratification - and these things are too easily available - for bonsai to be quickly and easily assimlated into current American culture.

Fourth of July, my family and I spent the afternoon and evening with some of our friends at one of their houses. We talked about many things and, at a point in time, the conversation turned to my interest in Bonsai. Four of us husbands had retreated to the den and when I started to talk, one of them drifted away, but two of them became quite interested. They were amazed when I explained to them that I was thinking in a ten year time frame to develop the trees I was working on, and that the time frame that was common for the development of trees that were valued in the tens or even hudreds of thousands of dollars in Japan was measured in decades or even centuries. It was mind-boggling for them to think of something as small and insignificant as a little tree in a pot being the focus of organized effort over such a time span. Sure, the Pyramids of Egypt or the great cathedralls of Erope or even Grand Coulee Dam might have taken a while to put up, but a little tree in a pot!? They shook their heads in astonishment.

I was really raked over the coals on another forum for wanting to grow trees from seedlings, yet it seemed perfectly reasonable to me to want to develop a tree for ten years before even beginning serious styling. After all, what is ten years for a tree that is very capable of lasting decades or even centuries.

I believe that when a cuture moves to an extreme, a hunger grows for its opposite. My friends were not ready to sign up for bonsai classes, but I could see the spark of interest and the kindling of their imaginations at the prospect of being involved with a ten year goal and the involvement in something that would continue for decades, even centuries
To me, I don't think we give enough thought to the MEANING of bonsai and thus, we are confused about what message to convey to potential enthusiasts. I'm pretty clear on what Bonsai means to me and what makes it precious, but I think from our community as a whole it is a pretty muddled message.

Fred