Contemporary bonsai pot

[Nate.bonsai]

Just came across this and thought that it was pretty interesting.

The 'bonsai' in it is nothing, but the swish modern pot is pretty cool looking.

http://www.contemporist.com/2014/10/29/ ... rian-magu/


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[shibui]

This bloke actually contacted me last year wanting to borrow a bonsai to go in this pot for an exhibition somewhere in Melbourne city. Logistics of delivery, making sure that the tree was looked after and the length of the exhibition inside made it too difficult. I think he said he was a vehicle designer for Ford or Holden in Melbourne.

[Bougy Fan]

What a load of bollocks. I can't stand these arty farty types saying why they designed something - the "motivation" and the "aim". I just wish they would say "I made this to make a shitload of money" and "I can't believe how much I can rip some idiot off for with this" That's

[kez]

Well, that was tolerant

Although I'm sure it would be completely inappropriate for someone who knew nothing about bonsai to say the same for one of our trees?

And who are these arty fatty types? Isn't bonsai an art?

My

[Duckbed]

I like it. the balance is perfect. Would love to see a well developed tree in it.

Rick

[Guy]

taking bonsai into the 23rd century

[Daluke]

What a load of bollocks. I can't stand these arty farty types saying why they designed something - the "motivation" and the "aim". I just wish they would say "I made this to make a shitload of money" and "I can't believe how much I can rip some idiot off for with this" That's

I wonder if 'traditional pots' were viewed this way when they were first designed and created?

This pot reminds me of a space ship.

[Laurie J]

I wonder if that kind of attitude is why Bonsai hobbyists are declining. Someone takes enough of an interest to take a pot and change it into a piece of art, and they are met with this?

I've noticed many car enthusiasts on here, it doesn't surprise me at all that the pot was developed by a car designer. It's maybe not my taste, but good on him for bringing Bonsai to a new audience!

[fae]

Great pot, possibly not the best tree to show off it's beauty.

I could imagine a literati pine.



Fiona

[Boics]

It's very cool and very modern.
It appears some need to think outside the box for a change.

[Ryceman3]

If everything stayed the same for eternity then things would just be plain boring. I'm not saying bonsai has become stagnant in that regard, just look at shots of bonsai from even as recent as 20 years ago and there is a distinct difference in styles and techniques that were popular then compared to now... including pot choices!
I have to say this is a pretty bold pot and makes a real statement, I'm not sure every bonsai belongs in it (including the one in the pic) but I really like the thinking outside the square and the motivation/drive to do something different. Much respect!

[bonborn]

I actually very much like it. I think poor guy doesn't have a suitable enough bonsai to display in it. The current one is a let down. Infact if displayed to it's fully potential in an exhibition, it will be a popular seller. I would actually like to see this displayed in my foyer on a special ocsassion. I'd rather this than the traditional types.

Any involvement to bonsai is welcome be it modern or traditional. We need to encourage people like him,

[cre8ivbonsai]

Thanks Nate, interesting, but this is a piece of industrial art and is in no way representative of bonsai - this is evident by the lack of commitment to display and care for a quality tree to display with it (Good on you Neil for insisting on the welfare of your bonsai over fortune and fame!). It could easily have been filled with fruit and been in the latest George Jensen shopfront display. I would also disagree with the article's assertion that it is "a stunning fusion of form and function" - clearly not, it looks like it would roll over in the slightest gust of wind, and doubt there is any means of drainage(?), while the black (plastic ?) would be a heat sink in summer. Also not sure why a pot needs to reference "speed forms" and "manufacturing processes used in transportation design" – the artist obviously doesn't appreciate that bonsai culture appreciates the handmade and handcrafted, not the mass manufactured. And as for "contrast to that of nature that usually takes many decades to grow, sculpt and form the gnarled bonsai forms" this is not representative of what's in his pot.

having said all that it is a nice futuristic 'form', just completely in the wrong context, better suited to the set of Star Wars with a holograph of a bonsai (windswept?) in it, that way no function required and no interaction necessary for the owner (and it can be kept indoors).

Personally I'd rather go and see Hugh Grant's exhibition of bonsai in an artistic context viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18608

[Pierre]

Although i find sometimes the explanations of the art a little over the "philosophical" top ( maybe just because I am not enough philosophically IQ adcanced), I really do enjoy the pot. The pot showcase the tree ( maybe not the current one though...) and the tree would too showcase it.
For what it's worth...
Pierre

[Andrew F]

Yeah, nah.