Exhibition, inspiration or intimidation

[JR_J]

I saw an idea once in some mag I think, where the show organizers set up a small display of shimpaku. (I think - but it could be any species). They arranged in order: a rooted cutting in a tube; a four year old in a plastic pot; a six year old in a larger plastic pot; a pruned tree in a plasic pot; a pruned and wired tree in a plastic pot; a ''finished'' tree in a display pot.
I can't remember exactly how many ''steps'' where presented but they were all lined up in a straight line on one table. It struck me as a very good way to clearly illustrate to the general public (of any age) the various steps in the development of a bonsai.

YVBS had a similar progression room at their show a few years back... not being a member I can't comment on how well it was received? (though the following year it made way for a trading room...)

Hi Ryan,

YVBS started this "Progression of a Bonsai" at our first show in 2009 and continued to have it at every show ever since! The location changed to the room where Kids workshops were held as well as "beginners and trees in training" were placed! We also always had an area called the "weird and wacky" and last time included "Pop Bonsai"!

Call me "old fashioned" or whatever - we call it a "Show" because we show members trees .... and some of them in the main hall are stunning! At an "Exhibition" I expect "Masterpieces"!

Great Topic Gerard!

Cheers,
JRJ

[cre8ivbonsai]

YVBS started this "Progression of a Bonsai" at our first show in 2009 and continued to have it at every show ever since! The location changed to the room where Kids workshops were held as well as "beginners and trees in training" were placed! We also always had an area called the "weird and wacky" and last time included "Pop Bonsai"!

There you go, it must have just been that year it was in the room opposite the entry that captured my attention

Call me "old fashioned" or whatever - we call it a "Show" because we show members trees .... and some of them in the main hall are stunning! At an "Exhibition" I expect "Masterpieces"!

Yep, I think you've nailed it Rudi for better or worse definitions define our expectations

[Pup]

Unfortunately the spectre of what, and why reared its head two posts with have been removed.
They show that ego,s opinions and politics.
Both posters know each other, by what was posted do not like each other.

However I belonged to two clubs one allowed all to put trees in the club show. I often heard I have seen that tree for 5 years not much change.

The other club would not allow a tree to be shown two in a row.
One club was bonsai only no penjing, the other allowed all so having only two clubs helped.

Both clubs had a beginners sections. Posting a sign to explain this. One had a progression from seed! Cutting to fineshed product, that is to show standard.
Both worked well.

Cheers Pup

[Gerard]

Yes Pup, the politics can get ugly. I am confident that for us in Victoria we are on the right path of co-operation and respect for each other, it is time to bury the frustrations of the past!

Rudy has made a very good simplification of the whole topic is it an exhibition or a show? I think history has played a role in how things are run and to a large extent we should give the public what they have grown to expect. Each club has a different approach which should be encouraged and enjoyed for what it is!

BSV has never had a policy to reject anything which is offered to exhibit although it is encouraged to bring the best possible. Recent production of a show catalogue listing the trees has also had the effect of raising the quality overall.

Three weeks out from our annual "EXHIBITION" the public can expect.
Many of our members own long established older trees which get better every year.
We try very hard not to show the same tree as last year but there will always be a few which have been seen at our last show or at another club.
This year, a space will be allocated to provide several three point displays which have been planned a few months ahead. I hope some of the viewers will understand and appreciate the effort.
Trees displayed belong to club members, there will be plenty of very high level trees on display but of course there are many talented artists who are not members (you need to go to all the shows)
At this stage there is not a "combined exhibition"

I believe BSV has the highest standard annual exhibition on the Victorian calendar. Enjoy the show and talk to the friendly artists, hopefully they will inspire!

[cre8ivbonsai]

This year, a space will be allocated to provide several three point displays which have been planned a few months ahead. I hope some of the viewers will understand and appreciate the effort

Sounds great Gerard I hope ALL the viewers appreciate this kind of effort ... and can be explained to those who don't understand have a great EXHIBITION

[Jeff]

http://www.bjorvalabonsaistudio.com/aus ... thru-five/

[Boics]

Great read - thanks Jeff!

[chrisatrocky]

I feel that seeing advanced trees at bonsai shows is what all clubs strive to present. However, advanced trees can be off putting to the general public who are looking into starting bonsai. Whereas, beginners trees will seem to be more achievable to those looking to start bonsai as a hobby. Also, when beginners show along side advanced bonsai, they can see how to improve and what their bonsai are lacking, which is harder to see when their bonsai are at home on a bench.

From the beginning of my club's exhibitions we have included four skill level sections Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced and Professional. We have found this has been very inspiring to our members and the general public as they can see how the bonsai is developed with experience and time. Unfortunately, in our 5 years we have never had a professional show at our exhibition but, one day we might get there.

chris.

[Boics]

I will also reiterate a point that I have raised in regards to many of the exhibition's that I've been too regarding the abundance of extremely large bonsai on display. Perhaps more Shohin / smaller tree's would be a good compromise?

[maryo]

Well I am firmly in the belief that beginners should be encouraged to show trees. At our shows we do group them together, but within the show itself. Our shows are a "Peoples choice Award" show. So if the general public what to vote for those trees they can. In the past they have done well in the voting. There is such a build up to our Shows I really cannot see how you can discourage newer members not to enter or even strive to enter.
When trying to encourage people to join the club seeing trees that have had years of training can be daunting to someone who is new to the Bonsai World but seeing what can be acheived in less than 5 years does encourage them to make the step. In the end why do clubs have show's for, apart from raising funds, I believe it is show off to everyone what the club as a whole is doing.

[fossil finder]

Watching this conversation ticking along I keep noticing a possible obstacle to a acceptable resolution and have to ask, is the title 'Beginner' really appropriate/necessary? I have no problem myself being referred to as a 'Beginner' but maybe a more inclusive title may help those challenged by being referred to as beginner? That's why I figured a 'pre-bonsai' category might be a appropriate badge/title and inform the lay viewer that bonsai are not created over night and defined techniques are applied to create a bonsai.

[Jason]

Watching this conversation ticking along I keep noticing a possible obstacle to a acceptable resolution and have to ask, is the title 'Beginner' really appropriate/necessary? I have no problem myself being referred to as a 'Beginner' but maybe a more inclusive title may help those challenged by being referred to as beginner? That's why I figured a 'pre-bonsai' category might be a appropriate badge/title and inform the lay viewer that bonsai are not created over night and defined techniques are applied to create a bonsai.

All depends on the person really, I've been doing it a few years now and still happily call myself a beginner despite others telling me that I'm passed that point.

We call our section "Bonsai in Training", I personally just say 'beginners section' out of habit

[fossil finder]

Bonsai in training?? That delineation works fine for me and is a superior category title to 'Beginner' !! Thanks Jason for that. I'm not in a club ... (not that there is anything wrong with that!.) or have a political agenda/axe to grind here but have just tried to mull over the impediments in the contex of the conversation.

[Pup]

Just to put a dampener on that. Aren't Bonsai always in training. Remember the only finished Bonsai is a dead one.

Under early training, might be the way. Just my

Cheers pup

[fossil finder]

Fair point Pup. What about 'Transitional' or 'In Transition' category? I'm starting to understand why the beginner category has been used! The problem I suppose I have with the 'beginner' category is that it shouldn't infer the bonsai artist is the beginner when it is the tree classification category we are talking about.......I think......