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19-Oct-2004
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#1 |
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Bonsai Doer
 
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Demonstration: If given the chance...
Tuesday afternoon, 12:01 PM:
The phone rings in your home and someone with a voice you have never heard begins talking. "Mr. ___________ ,the demonstration committee has voted that they would like to have you do a demonstration for the annual convention". Tuesday early evening, 4:31 PM You get home from work, and you hear the message. While there is some excitement at the thought of being asked to do the demonstration, you have hesitations due to your skill leval. " Do I have what it takes to not make a fool of myself?" "Will I say or do the wrong thing?" Wednesday evening, 7:36 PM You call the organizing committee and give your answer to the request. You would be honered to do a demonstration. Now what would you do? I know this is a tough question because there is nothing to look at. This is what I was wondering. Does a demonstrator stick with Traditional Japanese forms, or do you step out of the box and go for something that will look bad now, but may look good in a few years. What would you do? Al
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19-Oct-2004
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#2 |
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Paul Berish
Join Date: Jun-2002
Location: north shore of Lake Superior
Country: Minnesota
USDA Zone: 3/4
Posts: 1,197
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I would go with the several good material choices. Picking one at the time of the demo, after assessing the audience's skill level, choose the best material that would get the people to understand the basic stylings of bonsai. If the audience is of intermediate and up, go with something more difficult...more jins, more raffia, more slice and dice. If beginners, go with the basics.
That being said, all styles (the basic 5) can be whittled out of GREAT nursery stock, and a good result shown at the end of the demo. Again, stepping out of the box will depend on your audience. And perhaps how good you are explaining the stages to goin outside the box. Paul
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It is essential to experience all the times and moods of one good place. (Thomas Merton) BonsaiTalk is one good place. (me) |
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19-Oct-2004
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#3 |
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YOU CAN NOT RUSH TIME
 
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If given the chance.......(and if I had the ability!)
If I am correct the organizers will let me know what they are planning for me, they will give me the basics of what my demo tree will look like. In all probability I will see the tree before the demo and have time to carefully view the possibilities. To a degree I agree with Paul, raw stock may have several 'traditional' forms it can be shaped in, but an inspection of the material will tell me which form is the best choice for this tree. As a demonstrator I have the task of 1- putting on a show... 2- informing the audience... 3- entertaining the audience ...4- styling the tree...5- and in my eyes... doing only as much as will give the tree a good chance for survival. Al, I hope this is what you are looking for in a reply. Jay
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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49... Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing |
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20-Oct-2004
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#4 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
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Al, tell them it'll cost them fifty bucks. Then do do what you want to do! Just pick a tree from your collection that you have a mind to style-restyle.
Tony |
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20-Oct-2004
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#6 |
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Air Assault All The Way.
Join Date: Mar-2004
Location: Huntersville, NC (near Charlotte)
Country: USA
USDA Zone: 7-8
Posts: 1,702
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If the committee hasn't requested a certain type of demonstration, maybe you should ask if they have a preference. If not, go with your instincts. My only advice is consider who will be observing. If it is a room full of "seasoned" enthusiasts, using basic styling techniques on stock will likely be boring, they are more apt to appreciate the finer points of "tweaking" a more advanced tree. If they are beginner/intermediate students, the basics on pre-bonsai being changed into bonsai seems to be what is craved.
Quite frankly, I always like to see demonstrations where personal flare compliments the basics of design. The material does not concern me as much as this. Lastly, It always seems to be a mistake to use small material. Take care, John
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John Dixon Si vis pacem parabellum Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are. Last edited by John Dixon : 20-Oct-2004 at 11:15 AM. |
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20-Oct-2004
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#7 |
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Always learning
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Personally, I would seek to know who my audience will be. Whether you anticipate mostly beginners, intermediate, or advanced bonsai artists. Then tailer your demo that way.
Also, if you are ever wanting to be asked back to do another demonstration it may be a good thing to find out what people are expecting from you and your demo. Especially the expectations of those in charge. Know your audience and know the expectations, that's what I say!  And decide from there.But I'm sure you will do great, if your demo turns out to be anything like what you have offered here on BT. Let us know how it goes. Ryan
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"If God meant for us to run around naked, we would have been born that way!" ----a Quote from my uncle's fridge |
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20-Oct-2004
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#8 |
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Carrier of Bonsai Fever
Join Date: Oct-2001
Location: So-Cal, US of A
Country: America The Beautiful
USDA Zone: Zone 9-10
Posts: 1,833
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Al,
How about a massive slide show done with the laptop and then get out the torch. Can't miss!
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Keep growing,---'Nut Lethal Use of Farce |
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20-Oct-2004
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#9 |
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bonsaiTALK ArchMaster
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Our club allows demonstrators to do whatever they like. I have found for my personal enjoyment that a demonstration should not have to be styling a tree from scratch. I find the most useful and helpful demonstrations are when a specific topic is discussed and demonstrated. For instance, we have had a demonstration on just layering techniques where the demonstrators showed the techniques he used and brought in examples of trees that were previously layered with the technique. Other individual topics we've had include discussions about healthy roots, pots, Australian natives, specific varieties of trees for bonsai, choose good stock and successful feeding techniques. I'm sure there are plenty more specific topics to demonstrate on. I just find that to have a demonstrator work on a tree from an unstyled tree to a basic styling is just too boring. I don't gain anything useful from watching this. Luckily I take all the photos on the night this keeps me awake when we have one of those 'boring' demonstrations.
David |
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