Bonsai Philosophy

zen

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"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

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soonami

great quote, it reminds me of the discussion about rigidly following classical Japanese "rules" without consideration for creativity or the intrinsic quality of the tree.

Great format too

zen

Yeah it really kinda puts things in perspective, in relation to the creation of bonsai being an actual artform, not just a learned trade like wiring houses or plumbing. This quote and philiosophy also serves to remind us that problems present themselves in order to be solved, not to finally prove that the universe IS against you, and all your endeavors.

__________________
"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

zube

You have missed one subtle point, Jeremy. Mr. Steven does not say that there is no bonsai without artistry. He merely comments on it at that level.
Personally, I would be content for quite some time if I merely could feel that I was proficient at the 'technically inspired craft'. It is the basis of what we aspire to, and without it there is not even the hope of mediocrity, let alone "art".

As to the other trades mentioned, as in bonsai, the top few percent always bring artistry to their craft. Even electricians and plumbers.

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Sorry doesn't put thumbs back on the hand, Marge.
H. Simpson

zen

Please don't get me wrong here, carpentry and architecture deffinately take artistry, to be any good, but I mentioned electricians and plumbers, not wood workers, I do however understand that any good electricain or plumber will tell you that there is a certain art to their craft,...wether this is the case or not, is up for debate.

__________________
"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

zen

Yes soonami Robert refers to these "rules" in his book as "sometimes dogmatic", you'll notice the skillful use of the word "sometimes",...he goes on to show HOW the rules of bonsai relate to almost all forms of visual art,..and that they are there for very good reasons, but in a way he kind of warns against everyone just blindly following these "rules" to acheive any amount of inovation or ART in bonsai, as a means to get a message across, which is why we right-brain-heavy folks create, becuase our language center in the left(major) hemisphere doesn't work the way that it does for other people,...so we communicate in pictures, the way our ancient ancestors did before the advent of written language. It's all about the evolution baybay!

__________________
"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

Joanie

Plumbing and electrical installations aren't as visually compelling as, say, woodworking and plastering. It's much more difficult to feel a thrill when you gaze at a beautifully wired subpanel or something. There is little room for individual variation in plumbing or electrical work. Some really good electricians can bend pipe without measuring it...

Joanie

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zube

Hi guys,
Zen, carpentry and architecture do not require artistry to be any good. Nor does plumbing or bonsai. That's my point. Only the very best in each field bring artistry to their work. They are at this level because they have mastered the mere mechanics of their craft and have moved beyond the what most others can do.
If you hired a carpenter to build you a garage, would you consider it a failure if it was not 'artistic'? Of course not. If you were able to create a very nice JBP bonsai in the next 40-50 years, but one that looked like hundreds of other pines that you might see in Bonsai Today, would you consider it a failure because it did not possess the cutting-edge, one of a kind style of Kimura? I would hope not. I would hope you would be very pleased with it. The world is full of people who have mastered the mechanics of their craft, but are not artists.
Take care,
zube

__________________
Sorry doesn't put thumbs back on the hand, Marge.
H. Simpson

rockm

"If you hired a carpenter to build you a garage, would you consider it a failure if it was not 'artistic'? Of course not. If you were able to create a very nice JBP bonsai in the next 40-50 years, but one that looked like hundreds of other pines that you might see in Bonsai Today, would you consider it a failure because it did not possess the cutting-edge, one of a kind style of Kimura?"

Carpentry, plumbing and electrical functional craft with art. There is a line, but it is not distinct. Also Carpentry, plumbing and electrical craft serve a function. Bonsai does not. Bonsai is used for nothing but emotional stimulation. It serves no other purpose than that..