The Nature of a Masterpiece

BunjinEnt

After seeing some responses to a recent thread about the decline of quality in the leading English language Bonsai magazine and this site, I started thinking about the nature of the Bonsai "Masterpiece" and Bonsai "Master".

I searched the threads looking for this type of discussion and found plenty of references to key words, but no difinitive discussions on this topic. I'm sure it will heat up much like a discussion of "what is art?" but some of the comments within Al Keppler's "A Keppler Editorial" really put a burr in my craw. So, here it is.

What is the nature of a Bonsai Masterpiece?

Does it have to rigidly adhere to the Japanese rules? or the new Naturalistic Rules? Does it have to be styled by a master from germination? Does it have to be styled by a master at all, or can it be styled by a master's apprentice? Does it have to be a minimum age? Does it have to have been styled for a minimum amount of time? Does the pot it is in have to be handmade? Does the pot have to be handmade by a master? Does the tree have to be a certain style? Does it have to be one of the few approved species? or...

Does it have to appeal to a certain percentage of the "Bonsai Community"? If so, does it need a simple majority or does it have to be over-whelming numbers? or must it inspire awe in the un-educated masses?

Does it have to win at Kokufu-ten or does it qualify as a masterpiece if it is accepted to show there? Does it have to win ANY awards? If so, which ones? And if the awards are given, does it have to continue winning awards for generations or does it become a has-been and sent to stud? Does it cease to be a masterpiece when it dies? Is there a group of folks that caucus and dub trees as masterpieces periodically?

Or is it as simple as: the artist steps back from his work and is satisfied, puts down his (her) cutters and says: "It's a masterpiece." "It is worthy of posterity."

Which leads to: The Nature of a Master

Who becomes a master? Anyone with talent and longevity in the art? If so, how long do you have to be in the art? How does one become a master? Do you have to apprentice with a master? For how long? Until the Master says you're a master? Do you have to come from a long pedigree of masters? Do you have to apprentice with a Japanese master? or does a certain percentage of your regional Bonsai Community have to deem you a master? In the day and age of the internet, does it have to be the whole world?

Do you have to raise a masterpiece from germination or can you use yamadori to create a masterpice to achieve the title "Master"? Do you have to create a masterpiece at all to be a master? Can you buy a masterpiece and restyle it to become a master? or are you merely a curator?

Can you be a master of one species or style or do you have to conquer all styles and species? As this would exclude all of the old Japanese masters in the new openess of Bonsai, are there, then, degrees of master? (He/She is a master of this style or that species.)Is it possible someone has all of the knowledge of a master, but is just waiting for his trees to mature to Masterpiece level? Or will that newbie become a master if he lucks out and finds an old yamadori that lives after harvesting, moves the perfect branches into perfect position has perfect taper on the trunk and can place the perfect Nebari in the perfect pot and posts it or publishes it and wins a few awards and the massses bleet: "WOW!" If not, how many times must the newbie do this and for how long to be deemed a master?

Does this, then, all hinge on recognition? Both Master and Masterpiece? Or can someone with a firm grasp of the knowledge, who waits decades playing with plants or can pick (or afford) good stock, but can't afford to run around the world doing demos and winning awards ever become a master?

Does it then hinge on ego? "I am recognized around the world as being good therefore my peer group is small?" Or are you a master when you have a good grasp of how it works, what it works on, what looks good, your trees thrive as Bonsai and people in your region that are working on the same species look to you for answers?

Until the time when someone deems you a master are you merely "Good" or "Know what you're doing?"

I dunno, I see trees in this site and in books that WOW me every day. Does this mean you have to be jaded and not be "WOW-ed" by the majority of trees that really good bonsai enthusiasts open themselves to criticism in pride of their accomplishments, in order to be a master?

I'll stop there.
Thanks for reading. I am interested in your thoughts.

William

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Alasdair

I like heat, bring it on.

Personaly (and i know no masters, but),

A bonsai masterpiece is one that you see and think WOW imediatly and the image never tires with age. When you can recognise the creator of a trees image just by looking at it that artist is a master.

Winning an award at some fancy show in japan doesn't make a master or a masterpiece. That is just one point in time, tomorrow it could be sold to a complete idiot with too much money and a pair of scissors, ruining the effect.

Al

edit: missed a bit. You can easily be a master of one style/species. It is all relative though. On this forum we have one individual who is excellent with the mugo pine and another who has superb shohin sized bonsai. Relative to the other 9000+ members thay are masters, but i'm sure there are others who may be even more masterful than they are.

Maybr once you stop aspiring to be someone you are a master. maybe maybe when all others aspire to have trees like one of yours it is a masterpiece.

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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

irene_b

Wonderful Topic !!!!

To me I am so tired of the same cookie cutter trees.
I live in America, not Japan.
They do it their way I do it mine.
Just because something was started there means little to me and my trees. I am not into Bonsai to compete. It is something I enjoy. I also enjoy seeing the Bonsai of my friends and very few fit the cookie cutter mold. Why would anyone want a tree that looks just like anyone else's.
As far as being a Master...who really cares. I for one don't.
Go into a cafe and tell them you are a Master and don't forget your money for what you order. This is not saying that I don't respect any person! I respect what they can do. Would I call anyone Master, I think not.
Each person should learn something new everyday of their life if not they lose the grey matter.
And how many Masters are there? Again who cares.
Just my point of view.
Thank You and have a nice day!
Irene

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bonsaimechanic

Hello William,

You ask some very thought provoking questions and you will probably recieve replies from alot of people with differences in opinion but that's one of the reasons why we're here right? I assume that when asking these questions you are mainly asking about design and since your post states that you are interested in everyones thoughts, I thought I'd put my two cents in.

In my opinion a masterpiece must:

• Be original
• Provoke emotion in the viewer
• Be memorable
• Display harmony among the elements of the design (balance, positive/negative areas, visual speed)

These criteria are not unlike the criteria used when you critique any piece of art.

A master is someone who is able to achieve these results. Regardless of the persons' age, nationality or social status. Of course we do not have enough time in our lifespan to learn everything that there is to know about bonsai. That is one of the great things about it.

__________________
An artist is bound only by the limits of their imagination.

Alasdair

Just read through Irene's post, maybe a master is one who we respect in all their endeavours.

Al

p.s, i'm going to have a good night instead of day, it's 02:16 and i REALLY need my beauty sleep.

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

mike_p

William, you have many questions, but I'm afraid that there may not be many good answers.
A master may create what can be called a "masterwork", but as in all art, to be a "masterpiece" it must withstand the test of time. Read my first signature line.
Just my 2 cents worth.

Mike

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Man's attempts to improve nature,
Are imperfect.
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There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

BunjinEnt

This is a good start with posts. Thanks to all who did. I am personnaly not looking for hard answers, because I don't think there are any. I want to know what you all think. I think masterpieces are in the eye of the beholder and like Mike stated, stand the test of time. I like Al's post about knowing the traits associated with the styling of a tree that mark the tree as the artist's. I don't know that that makes him a master, though.
I am by no means bucking for the title of master. It's not my speed. Nor would I ever be pretentious enough to belive I could be. In my Avatar I state Learning = Growth. When you stop learning, you stop growing. Therefore I will never "Arrive". I don't care how many new enthusiasts come to me and ask how to get the trunk bigger, I will always be there to tell them to plant it in the ground or in a big box.

William

P.S.- that's my favorite Lewis Carroll quote too, Mike. It's a jab at those who felt the cockney jibber jabber was endangering the Windsor English.

Robert

Dear Irene,
I like your point of view.

Robert...........in Santa Cruz

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Robert.........in Sta.Cruz

Jon Chown

IreneB says,

Quote:

I live in America, not Japan.

Who cares? A masterpiece is a masterpiece no matter what Country you live in or what style you choose.



And

Quote:

As far as being a Master...who really cares.

Possibly those people who have a little respect for the dedication it takes to become one.



And

Quote:

And how many Masters are there? Again who cares.

Perhaps this would depend upon whether you consider yourself a Bonsai Artist or a Bonsai Hobbyist – The former probably does and the latter – who cares?

Just my opinion


Jon