BONSAI/STYLES - The big picture

bonsaial1

In the last post to the razors thread Tony said this:

I think the biggest turning point in bonsai evolution is the ability to see "the tree" within the raw stock. Sometimes its the ability to see a better tree in developed stock. That is sometimes the case right here on the forum.



This sentance has some merit. But only so far as the initial development of the tree.If the tree is to be a duplicate of the tree as it grows in nature, then by all means style it that way. But, there are artistic ideals that must be met also. A natural tree growing in the field may look wonderful with its natural surroundings but look totaly juvenile and ameturish in a bonsai pot.

Naturalistic bonsai are still a small minority of the currant bonsai vogue, but this is only due to its complexity. Walter Pall's work in this area is a prime example. While his trees "taste" natural the trees follow a recipe that is all "art". Walters Work is far more traditional than many think. If you really study the lines of the trees, you will see that they conform to many Japanese rules of line and form. Many branches are left in the work to give it a natural enough feel, but the correct ones are removed to give it artistic merit. This is the genious part of his work, that makes Walter unique in the field of Natural Bonsai.



Bonsai is not always letting the tree tell you what it wants to be. Sometimes its about thinking out of the box and pushing the envelope to trying something that is unique to the species. Obviously trident maples do not grow like pine trees, and they do not grow with huge oil spill root systems either, but artisticly these trees reach levals that rate them as masterpieces throughout the world. For me personaly, most of the images that make me stand back and look with awe are of trees that would never be seen in nature. I love deadwood designs, which grow in nature, but never have artisticly manicured crowns on them. I love wonderful semi-cascade pines and junipers, which grow in nature, but never have crowns and health like in magnificent bonsai.

Bonsai is an artistic representation of a natural tree. It is an image, an illusion of nature. It is smoke and mirrors that defies the senses. The best bonsai are magicians tricks that have fooled the eye into seeing a far off place in the distant past, or the side of a craggy cliff. We all have to strive to be the magician.

If bonsai is placing a few trees found on the side of the road into pots with no taper and a few scattered branches with no order, then Danny Use is wasting his time scouring Europe looking for plants for the Gingko Awards. There are plenty of bonsai at the local Walmart!

Cheers,
/|\
III Bonsai-al

PS - Wills privit shrunk down and repotted. If this would be shohin size, so be it. The size never really entered my mind. It was the trunk to height ratio that needed the help. Now it works.

Attached Images

wills tree.jpg (39.9 KB, 122 views)

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Walter_Pall

Al,

while I am not exactly a fan of 'me too' posts, I can only agree to what you are saying here. Gradually the 'truth' comes out.

best regards
Walter Pall
the destination is clear - the path is unfamiliar ..yet

Attila

Scary.
Two people who never agree with anybody, now agree with each other.
Where is this world heading?

Carl_Bergstrom

Yeah well, for it what it's worth, they're both right.

Old Agreeable Crow

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In love with trees

Will_Heath

This might actually be a first here, but I have to agree.



Al, you are also right on target with the privet.


Will

pootsie

I also agree.

GROUP HUG!

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society

Tony

Tisk tisk tisk, Al. I took that deKalb turpentine art class too and I'm still waiting on my degree!


Quote:
I say you should learn the growth habits of the species then apply that to the individual tree.



This sentance has some merit. But only so far as the initial development of the tree.If the tree is to be a duplicate of the tree as it grows in nature, then by all means style it that way. But, there are artistic ideals that must be met also. A natural tree growing in the field may look wonderful with its natural surroundings but look totaly juvenile and ameturish in a bonsai pot.

Al, you know you/we/me could never make a duplicate of a tree in nature. However, we can make symbols and icons of them. There is just no way to duplicate them branch per branch. I think most around here have gotten by that point along time ago.


"Bonsai is not always letting the tree tell you what it wants to be. Sometimes its about thinking out of the box and pushing the envelope to trying something that is unique to the species. Obviously trident maples do not grow like pine trees, and they do not grow with huge oil spill root systems either, but artisticly these trees reach levals that rate them as masterpieces throughout the world.

How is that any different than what I said? I have many times cut back elms [do this in mid spring] to a one or two inch stump to bring up a new leader. You have to look at the tree when you are repotting it. Decide at that time the best front and the best style.


"while I am not exactly a fan of 'me too' posts, I can only agree to what you are saying here. Gradually the 'truth' comes out."

Walter, I have no idea what you are talking about. Please spell it out.

Tony

Alasdair

from what i can see, you guys are only focusing on two things. doing what the artist wants or coppying what has already happend in nature. What about what the tree 'wants'? Perhaps it may be better to take the growth that the tree provides you and work with it, instead of removing branches or grafting on new ones. Surely this would be the most natural way to achieve a natural stlye.

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

Tony

Let me try to explain this a little better What came first? The little trees in pots, or art? I'm thinking the art came first, probably back the the Egyptian or Sumerian cultures. Around 5000 to 6000 years ago. They had carvings, sculptures even paintings way back then. Sure we call bonsai art but I think this is a recent event. I doubt you would find anyone 500 years ago saying that bonsai is art.

{Let the tree tell you what it want's to be.}

We all do this every time we evaluate a tree for bonsai possibilities. Start from the soil up. does it have good nebari or roots that can become good nebari with a little work? Are the roots level with the base of the tree? Does it have a straight trunk with taper? Does it have taper up the trunk and branhes in the right place? That type of tree could become a nice broom style.

Is the trunk planted at an angle? Does it have taper in the first few inches and good nebari? If so it could make a nice informal upright or slanting style or even other possibilites.

Does the tree have lousy nebari, inverse taper and no chance of becoming a good bonsai? This is the kind that is telling you to put it in the compost pile. Why would you want to waste your time with something like that?

Like I said. Let the tree tell you what it wants to become. Maybe better put, what it has the possibility to become.

Tony