Japanese Beech Forest

[barrosinc]

Darlene yes, all beech will turn a silver grey color with beautiful smooth bark as they age. FYI the white bark is only specific to Japanese beech (Fagus Crenata). Even so, my understanding is that there are a few varieties within Japanese beech with varying degrees of bark "whiteness" and leaf size. The most sought after is perhaps "Fuji Buna" that comes from the area of Mt. Fuji growing at higher altitudes which has very small leaves. Bill V. is a beech expert and he may chime in with more info on the subject.

BTW I hope you feel better!

Ohhh bummer sylvatica is what I could get...

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

I like group plantings. This one is special.

 

[LanceMac10]

The other side of the Beech....

 

[LanceMac10]

For reference I found a pic of the forest right after I purchased it showing the same side that I am now favoring.

Mach side

 

[MACH5]

These photos were taken a couple of nights before this forest was exhibited at the 5th US National. At this time of the year, deciduous trees are looking tired and beech in particular do start to get brown tips. I think it is ok as long as it is not too much and becomes distracting to the viewer.










And here it is on display at the exhibit being supported by a 1" thick clear acrylic table. The jita used for the accent planting was also made of clear acrylic. The idea was to represent air and water as inspired by certain Japanese scrolls were the mountains and trees were painted to look as if they were floating amidst the fog. Here I am braking a few conventions including the tall accent planting. Accents should never be much taller than the height of the table. Since the planting was delicate, I felt it worked well enough with the forest bonsai despite its height.

 

[fredtruck]

A concise explanation of your display, which I feel is on target. I like your use of acrylic. It's a great material.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

I love the tree and like the accent. The jita does work, but for the tree, i don't know. Somehow i feel that it might work better with a pine or some other mountain tree. Difficult to judge on a photo. I like the way you brake rules... Makes one think about the story.

 

[MACH5]

I love the tree and like the accent. The jita does work, but for the tree, i don't know. Somehow i feel that it might work better with a pine or some other mountain tree. Difficult to judge on a photo. I like the way you brake rules... Makes one think about the story.

Thanks Dirk! Not sure if I completely agree. I think the acrylic material is slick and reflective by nature which I think pairs better with deciduous trees. I don't see it being used with heavier and rustic looking trees like conifers. I was also discussing with someone that I cannot see this table working with trees in pots either. Somehow I think the slab works.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I got at the exhibition was when I was approached by Young Choe, who is a master kusamono artist and an authority on the subject. She loved the display including the accent over the rectangular jita. She said it was among her favorites at the show and took a few pics for her own reference. I was truly honored!

 

[Chopsie]

Absolutely love the beech, I have seen a group well two recently and I'm saving like crazy to try to get one of them

 

[LanceMac10]

I think I prefer something more "traditional" or at least, less noticeable. I feel it mutes the wonderful Beech here.
The white background isn't helping much, either.
How did this NOT ribbon?
Was it the acrylic?

 

[MACH5]

Absolutely love the beech, I have seen a group well two recently and I'm saving like crazy to try to get one of them

Chopsie they are quite rare here in the US and VERY expensive to find material that is old and mature.

EDIT: I am referring specifically to Fagus Crenata

I think I prefer something more "traditional" or at least, less noticeable. I feel it mutes the wonderful Beech here.
The white background isn't helping much, either.
How did this NOT ribbon?
Was it the acrylic?

Lance, it's certainly not for everyone. I knew going in it was a risk. Some folks liked it, others appeared not to and yet others did not know what to say. That is perfectly ok. I like sometimes sitting outside tradition and getting you to look!

LOL there could have been a million reasons why "it did not ribbon". It could have been the acrylic but then again no one knows for sure. However, I will say that the awards given were all well deserved. I am honored to have been part of this exciting exhibit!

 

[Chopsie]

They are the same here, the group I've seen is $1500.00, The contrasting colours i love... Very nice group!

 

[Giga]

Yep, love it still. Beech are so unique - that any that are old and have character as bonsai are amazing in their own right

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

I think the acrylic material is slick and reflective by nature which I think pairs better with deciduous trees.

I think lot of my interpretation is because of the reflections i see on the picture. I guess the edges are less accentuated in real life. Now with a bit of imagination visually it has on the picture almost the same weight as a "white-ish" table. Send the setup to me, i"ll look how it feels ;-)

 

[MACH5]

I think lot of my interpretation is because of the reflections i see on the picture. I guess the edges are less accentuated in real life. Now with a bit of imagination visually it has on the picture almost the same weight as a "white-ish" table. Send the setup to me, i"ll look how it feels ;-)

Yeah, the pic was taken with a flash and never ideal. So a good amount of visual distortion happens as a result. For example, the background was not white but a light blue and the table blended in much better than it appears. One cool effect was when you stood from a certain distance, the edges of the acrylic picked up the light blue from the background. In the accent, this effect really enhanced the water-like effect the jita was meant to have.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Really beautiful Sergio, sorry I missed the opportunity to see it in person.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Yeah, the pic was taken with a flash and never ideal. So a good amount of visual distortion happens as a result. For example, the background was not white but a light blue and the table blended in much better than it appears. One cool effect was when you stood from a certain distance, the edges of the acrylic picked up the light blue from the background. In the accent, this effect really enhanced the water-like effect the jita was meant to have.

That explains why you and the others like it so much! Thanks for the additional info.

 

[Adair M]

Sergio, it was a fantastic display! I spent about 15 minutes on my knees studying it in detail, and it is very elegant. The acrylic stand and jitta highlight the white trunks.

Lance, virtually every tree at the National Show was exceptional. There were 300 great trees. Pretty much any of them could have been chosen for an award. When you think about it, just being in the Show is proof of its quality!

Folks, this forest is SO GOOD, that Bill V. claims that the other side should be the front! Lol, I couldn't tell since I couldn't get a good view of it.

My only complaint is I wish I could see it in winter!

Oh, wait!

I believe Sergio is going to display it at Kannopolis!

Complaint cancelled!!! Lol!!!

Great forest Sergio!

 

[MACH5]

Sergio, it was a fantastic display! I spent about 15 minutes on my knees studying it in detail, and it is very elegant. The acrylic stand and jitta highlight the white trunks.

Lance, virtually every tree at the National Show was exceptional. There were 300 great trees. Pretty much any of them could have been chosen for an award. When you think about it, just being in the Show is proof of its quality!

Folks, this forest is SO GOOD, that Bill V. claims that the other side should be the front! Lol, I couldn't tell since I couldn't get a good view of it.

My only complaint is I wish I could see it in winter!

Oh, wait!

I believe Sergio is going to display it at Kannopolis!

Complaint cancelled!!! Lol!!!

Great forest Sergio!

Thanks man! There are a few folks here that I respect their professional opinions. You and Scott (markyscott) are two of them. This means a lot coming from you Adair as I said to you when we discussed the forest together at the Nationals.

Yes, Bill suggested to use the other side of the rock slab with the current front of the forest. The way to do this, is to flip the slab so that the direction towards the left still remains. I liked this side because to me it emphasizes the feeling of perspective as the rock recedes back on either side. However, the counter argument to this, is that the eye goes either goes left or right and leads it out of the composition. I took Bill's suggestion to heart and will consider using the other side next year in the spring.

Bill asked me to bring the forest to the Winter Silhouette show at Kannapolis. He suggested I show it with its bronze winter leaves as the species is often displayed. I will probably do so although I will thin it out enough so that its structure can still be appreciated. It will be interesting to see how the winter image will look with the acrylic table. I am hoping I can get a space with a black background instead of the marble. It is beautiful but can look a bit busy and I worry that the fine twigs will tend to blend in against it.

 

[Chuah]

[QUOTE="MACH5

Perhaps the biggest compliment I got at the exhibition was when I was approached by Young Choe![/QUOTE]
Sergio, my wife loved your kusamono very much. She was very excited and looked for me to go over to see your display.