Wow! Tough crowd.

Yes, uppity cynical types are not my cup of tea. I am speaking of those who are not only critical of chance-takers, but downright insultive of them. I've seen this too many times and it unfortunately has the negative effect of steering people AWAY from bonsai. That is counter-productiive to the art. Criticism is synonymous with learning, but the delivery is so important. Constructive mannerisms will almost always be readily accepted.

I'm sorry, I have to disagree.  All too often people's egos get in the way.  They expect to be commended simply for trying something new and different, ignoring the fact of if it worked or not.  When any criticism (constructive or not) is offered then the ego is wounded and more often then not lash out at those willing to comment.

I wish it weren't so.  This is a discussion board, one focused on studying the art of bonsai, together.  I wish more people would put their egos aside and be open and willing to learn from one another and have more discussion.  I know I still learn something new every day, and I hope that never changes.

Good point, and well taken.  Its when either ego gets in the way and shouts down the other.  Then the conversation ends and the learning stops.  Then we all lose.

Hi guys, I don't post here much, but this thread has peaked some curiosity for me due to the word "display" coming up a few times. While I know each of the participants in the more heated part via the internet over a period of years, I hope we can exchange a few ideas.  Display has been a passion for me over the years. It has progressed at a more rapid rate over the past five, and has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two years with my participation in a National kazari competition. I feel I have challanged myself with the best of them, displaying against my teacher, Katsumi Kinoshita as well as Boon, Jim Gremel, Hidecko Metaxis, Ted Matson, Kenji Miyata, Peter Tea and many more you probably don't know. This year I placed second and took home $1000.00 in my pocket. I think this qualifies me to speak of display in America.

I belong to four clubs. They all have annual exhibits of their trees. All of the exhibits are crowded, all are complete with high level as well as mid level displayers. Mostly they have beginner level displayers that feel each of their creations are just as beautiful as those that are actually producing some art. I have no problem with this and find myself fully engaged trying to take those less learned to a higher level. That is what the club experience is all about.

Where the problems start to arise is when those higher up within the clubs try to take the club exhibit to a higher place, it becomes bogged down with what to do with those trees that suffer asthetically and not bruise all thos ego's. Most club shows exhibit a syndrome I like to call "Stuffing 40 pounds of pork into a 5 pound sausage casing". Stuffing trees together into 20 inch increments is not artistic. To argue otherwise is just fooling no one.

What those in charge of the venue have to do is use some guidelines on how the trees can be set up. It is not un democratic to expect people to hold to some sort of aesthetic. For instance in my more formal club I belong to which is a Japanese club of which I am President, we have space problems also, but if a tree comes on display day with out the appropriate stand it does not get displayed. Further, trees have showed up with a flat stone to be used as a stand, and the teacher, (Sensei) will come by and remove the stone and then ask who belongs to the tree. Either a correct stand is used, or borrowed or the tree goes home.

This does two things

1. It keeps everyone on the same level. We understand that some may only have three really good trees that come with stands and have a high level of artistry, and that a beginner may wish to display 7 average trees with no stands. We would rather they limit themselves to the best tree they have, borrow a stand, and show a good representation of how bonsai should look.

2. It provides for the understanding that though they wish to display everything they own, that for the good of the whole display, it may be better to limit the amount of trees and hold the exhibit to a higher standard.

This is not an easy thing to do in a club environment. I know this as my other clubs suffer from this problem also. The difference being my club is Japanese, the other clubs are westerners with attitudes, egos and you can't tell me what I can't exhibit. I suppose no one here has ever heard that....right?

I think the exhibit was a good one. It had a huge diverse range of species and a huge wall of shohin. To argue that there was artistry within the wall of shohin is allowing an ego to peek thru. It was a good way to deal with a huge amount of trees and not hurt any feelings. Kudu's for building it and making it work. Please don't try to defend it as art though. The green boxes and redline negative space is almost laughable.

In my opinion, it will be a very large task in next years exhibit on how to pare down the amount of trees and allow the exhibit to breath. If anyone feels that it is fun to see an exhibit that is crowded you are delusional. It is sensory overload and people get very distracted and actually hurry along because it gets so boring very fast.

I hope I haven't stepped on any toes with my remarks, and hope to see this better next year.

Best, Al

Gosh Master Al, there is not one tiny bit of arrogance or ego in that post!!

For the record neither Ken nor I have claimed The Wall as art a single time.  We didn't post the pictures or start the "conversation."

My mistake was trying to explain our intentions and give context to our effort in response to an arm chair quarterback critique...of course, he has a right to his opinion...informed or not.  And who would dare to think that there would be any value in making the process transparent?

I do find it disingenuous that on a struggling forum where the mods constantly try to spur discussion and beg for input that the only response to Ken's explanation in the process we went through in creating The Wall was from Arthur....maybe you mods should think about that a little?

Just so you know Mr. Calloway...you, and your members, will not have to be annoyed by my ego on this forum anymore...Maybe its arrogant to even think that you were talking about me, but nonetheless I am finished here.

Thanks and good luck to you all!
John

Gosh Master Al, there is not one tiny bit of arrogance or ego in that post!!

For the record neither Ken nor I have claimed The Wall as art a single time.  We didn't post the pictures or start the "conversation."

My mistake was trying to explain our intentions and give context to our effort in response to an arm chair quarterback critique...of course, he has a right to his opinion...informed or not.  And who would dare to think that there would be any value in making the process transparent?

I do find it disingenuous that on a struggling forum where the mods constantly try to spur discussion and beg for input that the only response to Ken's explanation in the process we went through in creating The Wall was from Arthur....maybe you mods should think about that a little?

Just so you know Mr. Calloway...you, and your members, will not have to be annoyed by my ego on this forum anymore...Maybe its arrogant to even think that you were talking about me, but nonetheless I am finished here.

Thanks and good luck to you all!
John

John, please re-consider your decision. One of the reasons I recently joined in here is because of you, Ken, AJ, and others. You are a very gifted bonsaist, a fun person to be around, and someone I am honored to call a friend. Your input here is invaluable and sought out by many. Please continue to post.

Al,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.  I read it with an open mind, and agree with your assessment.  Good luck with your future displays, and I do hope that you will continue to share them here and elsewhere.