A Random User
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I understand very well that for Bill and his event it us all about just the trees... I get this, he cannot play hall monitor and go down the route of who did or did not work on a tree. He has enough going on, without having to do this.
But, I do believe the discussion is part of a bigger picture and one that rightfully should be asked... and I see no problem with one doing so. And in a lot of ways questions the future of what we as people doing the art would like to see happen as bonsai continues to progress into the future...
I understand that in places like Japan, most of the trees that win every year are actually owned by people who have lots if money and they have people do the work on them. However, just because they do something a certain way in Japan, does that necessarily mean we want too, or should do it here? It is interesting to ponder...
I mean how would say one feel if down the road this led to having CEO'S from Walmart, or Goldman Sachs, etc... buying multi million dollar trees from Japan and bringing them over here to now be a part of our American Bonsai scene, and exhibitions. Or even Corporation backed trees?
Now, some may say this is far fetched and is going off the deep end... but really is it? I mean, as far as I see there are no actual rules saying one cannot do this. Right?
And how would something like this effect the current scene? I mean after a while I think folks might get upset if the trees year after year are brought to you by Exxon...
How, would something like this affect the industry? I mean yeah... currently there are lots of folks selling trees and doing work on trees here... but what if people started flying folks in from all over the world to set up, maintain, etc... Some of the folks that are at the top of the game here, might be able to compete... but what about the rest?
And seeing we are such a capitalist society, what happens if one of them gets the bright idea that folks who work on their tree's should have to do it for free... or even have to pay to do it? For the privilege of working on their trees and the notoriety... A novel thought, that I surprised someone in Japan has not yet figured out...
Ok, maybe this is all going off the deep end!
This is why I like the notion that people actually doing the work themselves! Of taking pride in the fact that they spent years doing the work themselves, learning how to do the work and that they are representing who they are and where they come from...
And most importantly everyone who does bonsai at one point in time if they do work hard, can participate.
This is comforting... nothing snobby about it!
I don't ever expect to win an award and I do not necessarily do bonsai to just try and perhaps one day win an award... quite the contrary, but it does give someone a goal to strive for... not the award itself, but the knowing that all the hard work you have put in trying to become good and master the art, is paying off. And that you are being recognized for doing this by your peers and the Bonsai community.
I mean, even if you have no notion of trying to win an award, or even exhibit your trees, it is nice to see when you at least post something up, here on this site... that other people think your work is good and you are on the right path.
So, yeah... it may be all about the trees... but it will always feel like someone is cheating when they see someone not taking the same pride, and time that others have spent trying to get where they are at... and seeing some just buy a nice tree and not do the work.
These people in my opinion are kinda like the Tanuki of Bonsai... Not really the real Macoy... but sure do look good fooling everyone.
EDIT... Sorry wanted to add one more thing...
On the flip side, I also like seeing my fellow artist's progression. I like the notion that they see mine as well... it keeps us all moving! If one year you show up at show and see one of your friends pulling out some amazing stuff, you think crap... I better get to work! This is comforting as well...
But, I do believe the discussion is part of a bigger picture and one that rightfully should be asked... and I see no problem with one doing so. And in a lot of ways questions the future of what we as people doing the art would like to see happen as bonsai continues to progress into the future...
I understand that in places like Japan, most of the trees that win every year are actually owned by people who have lots if money and they have people do the work on them. However, just because they do something a certain way in Japan, does that necessarily mean we want too, or should do it here? It is interesting to ponder...
I mean how would say one feel if down the road this led to having CEO'S from Walmart, or Goldman Sachs, etc... buying multi million dollar trees from Japan and bringing them over here to now be a part of our American Bonsai scene, and exhibitions. Or even Corporation backed trees?
Now, some may say this is far fetched and is going off the deep end... but really is it? I mean, as far as I see there are no actual rules saying one cannot do this. Right?
And how would something like this effect the current scene? I mean after a while I think folks might get upset if the trees year after year are brought to you by Exxon...
How, would something like this affect the industry? I mean yeah... currently there are lots of folks selling trees and doing work on trees here... but what if people started flying folks in from all over the world to set up, maintain, etc... Some of the folks that are at the top of the game here, might be able to compete... but what about the rest?
And seeing we are such a capitalist society, what happens if one of them gets the bright idea that folks who work on their tree's should have to do it for free... or even have to pay to do it? For the privilege of working on their trees and the notoriety... A novel thought, that I surprised someone in Japan has not yet figured out...
Ok, maybe this is all going off the deep end!
This is why I like the notion that people actually doing the work themselves! Of taking pride in the fact that they spent years doing the work themselves, learning how to do the work and that they are representing who they are and where they come from...
And most importantly everyone who does bonsai at one point in time if they do work hard, can participate.
This is comforting... nothing snobby about it!
I don't ever expect to win an award and I do not necessarily do bonsai to just try and perhaps one day win an award... quite the contrary, but it does give someone a goal to strive for... not the award itself, but the knowing that all the hard work you have put in trying to become good and master the art, is paying off. And that you are being recognized for doing this by your peers and the Bonsai community.
I mean, even if you have no notion of trying to win an award, or even exhibit your trees, it is nice to see when you at least post something up, here on this site... that other people think your work is good and you are on the right path.
So, yeah... it may be all about the trees... but it will always feel like someone is cheating when they see someone not taking the same pride, and time that others have spent trying to get where they are at... and seeing some just buy a nice tree and not do the work.
These people in my opinion are kinda like the Tanuki of Bonsai... Not really the real Macoy... but sure do look good fooling everyone.
EDIT... Sorry wanted to add one more thing...
On the flip side, I also like seeing my fellow artist's progression. I like the notion that they see mine as well... it keeps us all moving! If one year you show up at show and see one of your friends pulling out some amazing stuff, you think crap... I better get to work! This is comforting as well...
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