Is bonsai art? - inspired by BVF

[Bolero]

Anthony do you also go by Tony ???

Vance has 29 years into this Mugo, personally I hope he donates it to an established Michigan Bonsai place where it would receive the proper maintenance it would require...

Also, for the record, I perceive this Mugo as Art....Not High Art

 

[Bolero]

This thread made me think of this book, so I decided to throw the pic in.
Out of all the bonsai books I've read so far, this one is my favorite.
It reads kinda like a text book from school, which is fine with me, and is a good reference.
View attachment 142091
Extra points if you can see what's in the background

I hope its as good as you say, I just bought a copy off Ebay for my Bonsai book collection, interested in the Culture/Philosophy aspects of Bonsai...
Looks like a set of Drums in the background.

 

[Smoke]

View attachment 142091
Extra points if you can see what's in the background

The mountain is a Geisha holding a tree.

 

[Bolero]

The mountain is a Geisha holding a tree.

Smoke did Geisha do Bonsai or were they too busy ???

All the Geisha I met were very busy doing other activity...

 

[Vance Wood]

When I see a Near Masterpiece Bonsai or Masterpiece Bonsai I consider it a work of Art by an Artisan that has special skills to arrive at his Work of Art.....

I consider all the other Bonsai as Varying Degrees of Accomplishment but not reaching the Level of being known as Art.....

Here is what I call Art, A Bonsai by Vance Wood.............

Going from this Top picture of a Nursery Mugo to the picture underneath...

View attachment 142085 View attachment 142086

Thank You for the compliment and approval.

 

[my nellie]

... ...Fwiw, this drawing, by my teenage daughter, was displayed at the Dogwood Art Festival in Atlanta several weeks ago... drawn in charcoal. I could never do something like this, as it requires certain skills and mastered technique way beyond my reach. Is this art? I know what my answer is... ...

My answer is : yes it is, because that horse is gazing at me, reading my mind, making me stretch my palm to caress gently the animal's muzzle and feel its velvety skin.

 

[just.wing.it]

The mountain is a Geisha holding a tree.

I think inside the cover, there is a picture of the tree in it's pot.
Cool image!
I'll take a pic...

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Definition of art
Noun

1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
   "the art of the Renaissance"
   synonyms: fine art, artwork
   "he studied art"
   • works produced by human creative skill and imagination.
     "his collection of modern art"
     synonyms: fine art, artwork
     "he studied art"
   • creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture.
     "she's good at art"
2. 2.
   the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.
   "the visual arts"
3. 3.
   subjects of study primarily concerned with the processes and products of human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, and history (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects).
   "the belief that the arts and sciences were incompatible"
4. 4.
   a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.
   "the art of conversation"
   synonyms: skill, craft, technique, knack, facility, ability, know-how
   "the art of writing"

By this definition people who create bonsai are practitioners of art.

 

[M. Frary]

Art was a class in school that I avoided like the plague.

 

[VAFisher]

Art was a class in school that I avoided like the plague.

It was better than home ec.

 

[twisted trees]

Wow. This seems to be an ongoing discussion on another thread.
I think bonsai is art. I also view many things as art including photography and music.
So what is bonsai? A trade, a craft or just a hobby?

Next you're going to ask if golf is a sport.

 

[Dav4]

Next you're going to ask if golf is a sport.

It isn't...

 

[choppychoppy]

Next you're going to ask if golf is a sport.

It isn't...

Amateur golf is not even close (its mostly drinking i know I participate ) - professional golf is most definitely a sport.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Art was a class in school that I avoided like the plague.

What classes did you like?

 

[Smoke]

What classes did you like?

He liked nap and milk and graham crackers. Two of my favs as well.....

 

[Adair M]

What classes did you like?

Recess

 

[Cadillactaste]

@just.wing.it ... A book I refer ones to get, of all my bonsai books...it's my favorite for grasping the techniques and concepts. It brings clarity that others don't quite reach.

@Dav4 ...I TOTALLY THOUGHT THAT WAS A PHOTOGRAPH! Even showed the family...all were impressed!!! I hope she never loses the passion of her God given talent.

@amcoffeegirl ... Bonsai on my personal bench...I don't see quite as art. I see it as horticultural I guess. It's something I strive to keep alive...and healthy. The techniques I apply...just something I strive for visually appealing. Maybe because none are really show worthy yet. I don't see them as art... ( I used a lot of I's...lol but it was pertaining to my own trees.)

Techniques applied as a craft/skill...but, if the tree is stunning it sways to art form the tree itself. But applied techniques is a craft/skill that gets better with time.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

In my younger years I heard a saying
Music is to the soul what breath is to the body

If I came to each of your homes and took away all your trees you would still go on walks and see the rules of bonsai in natures trees. You would still practice your craft or find a way to start over. It is in your soul. It's as much a part of you as your skin.
Yeah you can live without growing your trees but you will always appreciate the craft once you've experienced it.

Maybe the trees I work on are not art or never will be but the process of the craft itself is very much art. If you question that then just think about the rules. Why are they there? Why do we follow them or try to break them. Why do potters make beautiful pots to put them in.
Yeah it's just growing trees- but there's a point where it becomes so much more.

 

[grouper52]

Wow. This seems to be an ongoing discussion on another thread.
I think bonsai is art. I also view many things as art including photography and music.
So what is bonsai? A trade, a craft or just a hobby?

In what possible way would it make any difference to anyone who does bonsai whether it was defined as an art, or a craft, or a hobby?

 

[amcoffeegirl]

In my mind they are the same really.