From the Tree Sculpture topic - your thoughts ?

I hope I am not breaking any rules of ettiquette but -

Rob typed -

"He then explained that Japanese architects don't necessarily revere shibui as "it was a concept born of an attempt on the part of urban commoners of old, prevented by aristocratic oppression from living luxuriously, to find a sort of concealed richness. 'Shibui' implies, among other things, a protest against the luxurious beauty of aristocratic life.... In Japan we cannot ignore the inhumanity and subservience intrinsic in its historical origin."
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Khaimraj simply says - I believe the Romans once had a law that only certain classes could wear gold, everyone else was restricted to bronze and iron [ silver ?]

The guilds of Europe, had laws in place to restrict the general public from oil painting.

At the same time quality was upheld and not quantity.
Today quantity is upheld and quality is out the window ---- or is it ?

With regards to Bonsai, Rob spoke of the Kokofu, and the trainers / owners situation. Much as Fine Art was in the Renaissance, Raphael / Michelangelo [ trainers ] / Church / Nobility [ owners ]
Quality over Quantity.

At the same time I ask has anyone checked to see if there are any in Japan, who have Kokofu quality trees, but chose not to take part in the exhibition / contest ?

Thoughts / opinions ?
Until,
Khaimraj

* I also ask, does anyone here really believe that they are rebels with regards to Bonsai / Penjing work, or are we all conformists ?

I read alot about new styles, but all I see are variations of Chinese / Japanese work.

Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:
At the same time I ask has anyone checked to see if there are any in Japan, who have Kokofu quality trees, but chose not to take part in the exhibition / contest ?

* I also ask, does anyone here really believe that they are rebels with regards to Bonsai / Penjing work, or are we all conformists ?

First, I can say that I do not know how it works at the Kokofu-ten in Japan regarding competition. I am not sure that you can take part without being part of the competition there? The interest in not taking part is not present I believe, if you have a bonsai worthy for the Kokofu-ten. I think all Japanese owing a bonsai in that quality wants to be part of this event.
I know that at the Gafu-ten (Shohin-exhibition) people are invited to display out of competition, and these displays are also often more free and not fitting in the standards of traditional Shohin displays. These are shown at a special part of the exhibition.

At the Danish Bonsai Society you can display but select not to be part of the competition. This is not working well though, because we then have a mixture of bonsai of more or less equal quality, some in competition and some not. Its better to make a standard or exhibit the bonsai out of competition at a special part of the exhibition divided from the competition displays.

At the Sakka Ten (Autumn exhibition in Padova, Italy next month), organized by Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe, there are no competition allowed at all. I like that approach very much. It adds a friendlier more learningfull atmosphere I believe.
One of the reasons I take part in that event.

Regards
Morten Albek

My understanding of Kokofu-ten is that the prize is having your tree accepted for exhibition which to me is a great concept.
Here in Australia the "bonsai society of Victoria" has been holding non competitive exhibitions for many years, the advantage of this kind of exhibition is that there is no intimidation for the members so you get a range of trees from the top growers down to the very inexperienced which to me makes for a more friendly and realistic show
Craigw

Hi! Khaimraj,...and all!

Where the rock underneath you can collapse....i give it a dare...and rules in bonsai never gave any reason to me...and dont mind the backround music,...Ah you wont hear it.

Classes and style never make it to the feel anyone can lay in any tree,...
Any display of this any tree is a view of nature and gets controlled in philosophy how to display that old or graving eye sight...
if philosophy is combined with politics (3 make a crowd)...it can go anywhere.

The tree and its antistatic can bring light.

On childish swings you give it a good go or.....you take it the other way arround.
360 degree bonsai do exist every shape nice and bound,...i now hope to think in 12 years it wil be a marvellous tree,...
That took me,....have of the 12 years,...

We bring in every light a new sight,....combined with your own mind....it'll take you......out of rules.

To take my bonsai into a test or show would be for me.......a test....to faill...but no!
I would present it elsewhere not for me or friend to see, they see it,....and take some philosophy with them.

Or just the picture,...who knows?

grtz m...



The point is, it does not matter what is presented,.....can you make a stunning still in time and yes that's hard!

littleart-fx,

a little hard to follow, reads like poetry. Translator on-line ? Or writing in images ?

Shot in the dark ----------> Be unto thine own self true

Humbly offered,
Khaimraj