AusBonsai

I tend to break the rules of bonsai because I don't have the expertise or the patience to manipulate a plant in a way that achieves "perfection"---I've often wondered if it is possible for Ausbonsai-ists to create a bonsai that meets every criteria--that is a plant that breaks no rules--if it were possible, what would it look like?--the thing is, can it be done?--perhaps a real challenge for all us rule breakers --and of course firstly we would have to know the rules---------

I consider that there are no rules as such, but guidelines pertaining to artistic, aesthetic, and horticultural good practises. The guidelines of "one third" is a good one found in most art forms (photography, painting etc). Visual balance is important and messy crossing trunks and branches are distracting to the eye. My slant on it all is, learn all the guidelines then break them as you please with a certain amount of aplomb. Some of the best bonsai visually don't appear to be restricted by too many "rules".

You are my kind of Bonsai artist Hack I see only Guidelines. I remember Queens rules and regulations, break them and you are in deep shari.

Whereas guidelines are just that they guide you, in Bonsai you aim for, but never achieve perfection.

A bit like Wabi Sabi, perfection in imperfection.

Cheers Pup

This reading I do I just opened Bonsai Focus issue 136/113. 6/2011Nov/Dec.

Page54 a quote from Masahiko Kimura (quote Unlike judo, a martial art in which very precise rules are respected, bonsai art doesn"t adhere to such strict codes) unquote.

Then on page 57 he says and I quote (we should use our cultural background to develop our own vision of Bonsai art)

Cheers

I read this on Ausbonsai a while back.
"Not to make your tree's look like Bonsai. However, make your Bonsai to look like tree's".... or something like that any way
The rules of natural tree's can not be broken as it is random perfection created from the unique situation of that particular tree we try to emulate.
Wow that bottle of tawny is talking now Ha !

Cheers,
Sam

Samegyed wrote:I read this on Ausbonsai a while back.
"Not to make your tree's look like Bonsai. However, make your Bonsai to look like tree's".... or something like that any way
The rules of natural tree's can not be broken as it is random perfection created from the unique situation of that particular tree we try to emulate.
Wow that bottle of tawny is talking now Ha !

Cheers,
Sam

That is awesome

Josh

Pup wrote:
Then on page 57 he says and I quote (we should use our cultural background to develop our own vision of Bonsai art)

Cheers

Excellent quote Pup.

What I find interesting is people's unwillingness to accept these cultural changes. I was at a club meeting a while back and someone suggested placing a giraffe into a bonsai scene. He was ridiculed. Why? Well you just don't do that in bonsai! Well hellooooooooo, but I'm not Japanese and I don't live in Japan, and I don't have white cranes here and we don't wear pointy hats. I seem to remember one of the members on one of these forums putting a photoshopped image of himself playing his guitar under a bonsai tree. Is that not what it is about? Were he to truly recreate that with a small figurine, he'd be invoking memories and feelings so much more personal than had he popped a small Japanese figurine under the same tree. To me, that's what bonsai is about. It's a personal journey, and not an attempt to recreate what I see in Kokofu10 or the Imperial Palace (as beautiful, special and magical as these indeed are)!

Cheers,

Andrew

it was someone else but heres one i did recently Andrew

Hackimoto wrote:I consider that there are no rules as such, but guidelines pertaining to artistic, aesthetic, and horticultural good practises. The guidelines of "one third" is a good one found in most art forms (photography, painting etc). Visual balance is important and messy crossing trunks and branches are distracting to the eye. My slant on it all is, learn all the guidelines then break them as you please with a certain amount of aplomb. Some of the best bonsai visually don't appear to be restricted by too many "rules".

I second that

Hey Josh,

I thought the the same thing when I read it originally.
This quote actually changed the way I approach the way I style my trees.
In fact I keep this in mind when styling all my tree's now.
I'd love to know who posted this originally ? any one no where it came from. (I'd love to send them my regards)

Cheers,
Sam

Samegyed wrote:Hey Josh,

I thought the the same thing when I read it originally.
This quote actually changed the way I approach the way I style my trees.
In fact I keep this in mind when styling all my tree's now.
I'd love to know who posted this originally ? any one no where it came from. (I'd love to send them my regards)

Cheers,
Sam

Hi ya Sam the original quote came from the late great John.Y. Naka a japanese American Bonsai artist who was highly respected in the world of Bonsai.

His quote was, Make your Bonsai look like Trees, not your trees like Bonsai.

Cheers Pup

Thx Pup it's great to know who it originally came from.

Cheers,
Sam

Samegyed wrote:I read this on Ausbonsai a while back.
"Not to make your tree's look like Bonsai. However, make your Bonsai to look like tree's".... or something like that any way
The rules of natural tree's can not be broken as it is random perfection created from the unique situation of that particular tree we try to emulate.
Wow that bottle of tawny is talking now Ha !

Cheers,
Sam

onya Sam , I reckon it was the same tawny that got me wondering( thinking through the tawny mist)

perhaps formal upright is the only style that needs the rules to be adhered to---maybe that's why you see very few of this style--how bout a formal upright comp to see if we can achieve 'perfection' .

Guy wrote:perhaps formal upright is the only style that needs the rules to be adhered to---maybe that's why you see very few of this style--how bout a formal upright comp to see if we can achieve 'perfection' .

..........,-I like the thought of an old tree growing strong and straight with no real hassles during its long life-----does anybody have a formal upright in their collection?--does this style seem to be too boring or too hard?--are we capable of bending it straight -- just wondering,

Ha.. Love the virt! Instead of a crane maybe we could have a koala in one of the eucalyptus bonsai????
... And yes like all art forms you learn the rules only so they can then be broken... This is then how the art form develops... A good thread ... Food for thought ...