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4-Nov-2003
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#1 |
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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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Good Article On Zen And East/West Arts
Hello everyone,
My recent review of Chye Tan's bonsai book The Spirit of Bonsai Design....Combine the power of Zen and Nature brought to light a few questions for discussion both here and over on the IBC list. I really got interested in learning what exactly Zen had to to do with art. While looking around for definitions of Zen and "art". I discovered this article Zen Buhhdism and its relationship to elements of Eastern and Western Arts. written by Frederic Lieberman. I thought it was pretty interesting. your thoughts? 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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Good Article On Zen And East/West Arts |
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4-Nov-2003
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#2 |
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Attila Soos
 Join Date: Jan-2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Country: USA
Posts: 1,932
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Good article Paul,
Thanks for providing the link. Applying the Zen principles to bonsai, literati style is clearly the bonsai personification of Zen. Mame bonsai comes second in mind, where you need to make do with just a couple of branches in representing the whole tree. Chinese penjing also applies elements of Zen aesthetics with its rawness, spontaneity, controlled flaws and minimalist tendencies. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the massive taper, luxuriant, well groomed foliage, lots of detailed carving, overall imposing and powerful tree. That is the opposite to zen. Tropical bonsai is the absolute antithesis of zen, with its abundant, lush foliage. It has a lot to do with the environment where the tree is from. An austere, punishing climate lends itself easily to applying zen principles. Zen minimalism looks out of place in a warm, humid, abundant environment. Best wishes, Attila |
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