Bonsai is fraught with its own arguments. Some purists advocate
that those who subscribe to a more natural approach do so to mask
their own ineptitude in applying sound technique. This may be
true or not, does it matter? I wonder how many of these purists
who derive just as much pleasure from denigrating the efforts
of others as they do their own trees, stop to think that all they
do is highlight some of their own deficiencies? At times it appears
clubs and forums have very little to do with bonsai and too much
to do with the need to be better than someone else. Bonsai is
sometimes perceived as a romantic notion of one person's pursuit
of perfection through the medium of trees. At times though it
becomes a quagmire of political dissention to the point where
we lose sight of the trees completely. Is this what our craft
is all about? Have we stopped to consider how much time and energy
we would save if we took as much notice of our own efforts as
we do of those around us. I am laughing at myself now because
I am taking time here to highlight the actions of others. What
makes it more palatable to my own conscience is that I see myself
observing and pointing out my observations. Not criticising what
others do, a fine line indeed. A leaf is not in competition with
its own root, if this were the case the whole would die. Once
again we can learn much about ourselves through the quiet observation
of our trees.
I left a
bonsai club because I could not stomach the posturing and nonsense.
I thought that I was above it and therefore did not want to engage.
Thus I fell foul of my own hypocrisy because all that I did was
propagate within myself the very action I disagreed with. There
were two choices available to me; leave and sulk or remain and
try to affect a change that would benefit us all. I chose the
former though and missed an opportunity to learn something for
myself.
One favourite
argument is the merit of art in bonsai. Or more poignantly what
constitutes art in bonsai and the merit of each proposed argument.
I am considered by some to be a painter of some accomplishment.
For myself the only pertinent accomplishment of any merit is that
I love what I do. An artist's eye gives me another perspective
on the world I live in. Having had some experience of this 'world'
I feel enabled to say that much of what we determine is and is
not art is nonsense. Art is the attempt to show an individual's
view on what he or she sees. To say that one has more merit than
the other is merely an exercise in futility. As in bonsai art
encompasses many styles, numerous mediums, but more importantly
it is done by individuals. To look at a piece of art and not take
account of the person who did it is like a vegetarian wearing
leather shoes. There is nothing wrong with that. It is one person's
choice, however it questions the amount of thought given to a
particular action or principle.
Each discipline
in art requires its rules in order to attempt to define the end
result. These parameters are used by the artist as a measure of
inherent ability, a reflection of personal achievement. It is
not a stick with which to beat another to augment one's own sense
of achievement by saying that there is no art in what another
does. Bonsai is it artistry or an artist's tree? Our actions are
determined by the level of our experience. At one time or another
we all started out somewhere, this is something we ought to respect
and more importantly remember. Some however do forget, this may
pose the question as to whether or not they themselves have learned
anything of real value. One must consider though that value, like
the appreciation of art, is a relative concept. The value of any
critique is to impart guidance through knowledge. This is not
served by alluding to a lack in effort, knowledge or intelligence.
Those who adopt this attitude only show their own lack of it.
I once read
a critique' of a bonsai book. The writer proposed that the illustrated
trees had little artistic merit, therefore no value. This was
supported by a dissertation on art portraying a vast knowledge
of the history and styles of art itself. The writing was superb
hence my enjoyment of it. The text stands by itself as an example
of art because of the beautiful way it was written. Ironically
here was one art form proposing that another had no merit. Everything
we do has merit at some point, including our mistakes. If only
we could just see this without concentrating solely as to whether
or not we are in agreement. Someone took the time and made the
effort to write this book. This has merit. There are those who
would derive much pleasure and some knowledge from it. This has
value. Whether it is a book on bonsai or a tree that we look at
we should think first before we criticise. Instead of seeing only
what is lacking why not look at the merits as well. It helps to
see the context of things. What is done and why is a reflection
of one's knowledge. What we know is a reflection of the experience
attained on any particular journey. This is the value of clubs,
books and forums. It teaches those who want to know more than
what they do. It allows for knowledge to be shared and support
to be given so that the craft is taken to further heights. It
is a blank canvas for the expression of our art. There is art
in bonsai, bonsai is an art. The expression of it and its appreciation
is relative to the creator and the viewer. It is subject to each
person's definition as to what art is. We are all different hence
the varying perspective. To try to limit art to one set of principles
is an attempt to destroy its very nature. Those 'outside' of the
artistic circles view artists as individuals who embrace a sense
of bohemian individuality. Some see them as the harbingers of
humanity's craving to express itself. There are times when the
real picture is very different. Artists are sometimes arts worse
enemy. Likewise an appreciation of bonsai sometimes reflects little
of its nature.
How many times
on a forum do we see someone who is new to the craft being taken
to task for their lack of knowledge? We see a post that says,
"I have a sick tree, its leaves are shriveling what can I
do?" Sometimes followed by an aggressive "I can't tell
you if I don't know what it is, where it is, what soil it's in……………"
I would agree that this information is needed to even begin to
ascertain the problem. The problem is that context is not taken
into consideration here. If we take on the mantle of teacher then
we must teach. It is a decision made by the individual not a burden
given by others. A post like this reveals someone new to bonsai
who maybe has not seen the impact of placement, type of soil,
type of tree etc. It is the responsibility of the one who replies
to take the time to instruct. To give the reasons why this is
necessary and the relation all parts have to the whole. Not to
imply that these people are a waste of time. Are these forums
a platform that allows us to help others, a way to share our craft
with other like-minded people, a place where we ourselves can
learn? Are they a place where we can feel a little bit better
of ourselves because of what we know, that we are proud of our
achievements? Yes, yes and yes again to all of this.
Under no uncertain
terms should they be a private club where only those with adequate
knowledge are deemed worthy to be there. They are not a stadium
for competition to prove that some know more than others. I remember
a forum in South America that made roller ball seem like child's-play
with all the fighting going on. It was entertaining at times,
though not instructive. Once again there is a matter of context
to be considered. If someone proposes an idea, or gives advice,
we are not in agreement with. What should be done? Firstly remember
that there is no malice intended. We all share what we know according
to our own experience and knowledge. Some know different whilst
others know more than some. This will always be the way of things.
We all have the same potential what differs is the knowledge.
To deem another guilty of stupidity should serve to question one's
own intelligence. (Another dichotomy) Sometimes I cringe at the
lack of manners displayed on some forums and in clubs. This is
not a good reflection upon the beautiful craft of bonsai.
