Bonsai Elevations exhibit at the Pacific Rim Collection

Carl_Bergstrom

Hello everyone,

Some of you may remember the Artful Environments exhibit at Pacific Rim Collection from two years ago.

Unfortunately, my travel schedule forced me to miss this year's followup, the Bonsai Elevations show which focused on artistic stands. Fortunately, the Pacific Rim website has posted pictures and descriptions of the pieces.

Since I didn't see the show first-hand, I don't feel qualified to give a full review/critique. That said, I hope I can be forgiven for posting a few impressions based on the pictures.

First, something that worked (deep-linked from the Pacific Rim site):



I like this composition. Here's a stand that knows its place. This stand is an attractive art object in its own right, and yet, perhaps uniquely among the stands in the show, this one does not compete with its the tree. Rather, this stand puts the tree forward and displays it in its best light. I've seen this tree a half-dozen times before, but it has never looked so good as it does here. The proportions are good all around, and the stand top complements the pot. The rich complements the green foliage while contrasting with (and thus not hiding) the grey-bark lines of the cascading trunk.

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Second, something that didn't (again, deep-linked).



I don't think I need to comment further on this particular piece.

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Third, an observation. I was surprised to see just how many of the stands offered surfaces that were far too small, aesthetically, for the trees that they displayed. Shown below are a few of the more formal stands, to give you an idea of what I am talking about. These would have been at least marginally more successful had they been sized appropriately.

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I could go on and on, but I'd rather hear your thoughts. Kudos to the Pacific Rim collection for continuing to treat bonsai as fine art and for continuing to explore the relation between bonsai and the other arts. Though not all of the pieces are successful, the exposure that this show offers can represent a step in the right direction.

Best regards,
Carl

Attached Images

stands.jpg (17.5 KB, 94 views)

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imyerhukleberry

Well said. This is exactly how I feel about stands/displays/benches/accents...

I had to comment on one featured here in the gallery...it was so complicated and distracting, not to mention much to big for the tree...



...although you're correct, the stands in the attached photos are much to small, the second stand is a very good one (if it were the right size). It is formal enough, yet not boring. It adds to the beauty and complexity of the display. The tree and base compliment each other and become one.

Primarily the best visual qualities of this stand are its division of space. Positive and negative space compliment each other symetrically. It is balanced, and very,very stable.

The division of space, and wood elements create a formal style in this stand wich is so succesfull that I would be surprised if this stand is not traditional.

jloeschner

You are right, some of the stands would have been much better displayed with fitting trees. However, there is one in particular that I must comment on...the "Dr. Suess" compilation. It is definitely NOT traditional bonsai, but it is appealing in its own twisted way. The tree, pot and stand all SCREAM "Dr. Suess." Even though it is not the best in the show, I think that it successfully communicates what the composer meant for it to. The faults themselves are what highlights this particular piece. I wonder if it was a joke? At any rate, I am sure that Dr. Suess would have been very honored by this tree and stand.

Regards,
John

Attached Images

Sumac suess.jpg (26.3 KB, 78 views)

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imyerhukleberry

That is a good example of POP BONSAI wich I keep seeing popping up from time to time...

I'd expect to see something like that in a Los Angeles laundry mat/expresso bar.

Carl_Bergstrom

I'm a big fan of this tree, and over the past couple of years I've posted at least two different pictures of it to the forum.

My first reaction to seeing the stand paired with this tree was to think that it was overkill, in that (1) the tree doesn't need any extra help making its Dr. Seuss reference and (2) the cat's hat doesn't really have anything to do with the tree other than its obvious reference to Seuss.

But on second thought, it's a fun joke. I choose to read it as the artist deliberately going with the simple and the obvious and the unnecessary, as a way of simply reassuring you "You're not nuts, I'm thinking the same thing you are when I see this tree."

Best regards,
Carl

jloeschner

Most of the Pop Bonsai example I have seen are, well, let's just say that they are not to my liking. This one, however, has a theme that I can identify with. I envision this being at home in the children's section of a library (With the proper lighting and environment, of course...) instead of some tacky, run-down laundry mat or espresso bar. This tree could even serve to get more children interested in bonsai and horticulture. I know that my kids love it and would be more interested in keeping it alive than my "boring old regular" trees...

Regards,
John

__________________
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

QUI ME AMAT, AMAT ET CANEM MEAM

imyerhukleberry

I think I was misunderstood when I said "espresso bar/laundry mat.......

Los Angeles actually has espresso-laundry matts...

bonsaial1

Once again the Pac. Rim has stuck its neck out and probably succumbed to the chopping block.The first photo has some merit, but in light of the others it is out of place. I really don't see anything here that is artistic.

Much of this boils down to jar + pickle + urine = art.

Does nothing for me, Al

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Carl_Bergstrom

Pickle?