I've started this thread and feel compelled to clarify it's full intent and meaning. I do not have to do so but in retrospect, handcuffed by the improprieties of political correctness, I failed to convey my thoughts clearly.
This is my opinion of what was said subtly and with candour in Peter's interview. You do not have to accept my point of view, as it is just my opinion. But as stated, allot can be learned from Peter's interview if we chose to accept its full meaning and put it into practice.
I sent the following e-mail to Hans yesterday in order to explain where I was coming from. I share this with you:
Hans
My review did not reflect what I really wanted to say because I was handcuffed with trying to be politically correct, and in doing so I may have very well made myself look like a fool.
What I really wanted to say, of which you have allured to in a roundabout way, has to deal more specifically with Americans vice the West. I tried to correct a misinterpretation by pointing to North America, to little avail.
Americans need to be the best in the world on all fronts, that is an unfortunate side of their culture. This is seen on many fronts. I spent 32 1/2 years in the Navy, travelled the world and have seen this type of attitude first hand, and not restricted to bonsai, it is an unpleasant side effect to an otherwise brilliant culture.
As you know the thirst for recognition is unquenchable, and keeps popping up every time we turn around, just take the America versus Europe contest, which in the end included other parts of the world as not to isolate any practicing body, but the original intent was quite clear based on discussion throughout cyberspace.
There exist many a talented artists in the States and as you mentioned the States have progressed in leaps and bounds considering the short time they have been at this hobby. What is seen and mentioned by you and Walter, is the serious (I hate that word) artist are indeed humble and allow their works to speak for themselves, instead of raising them on pedestal as we too often see. This is the point I was trying to make and one at which I failed miserably in conveying and one of which leaves us (me anyway) with a foul taste in our mouths.
Irene raised a couple of good points in that we should never relinquish our individual cultures for another one. I totally support that argument and I believe so do you. We should all be proud of who we are. Having said that I do embrace the statement that we should look at other cultures and learn from them, taking the good and leaving the bad, to enrich are own and improve upon it. That does not necessarily mean giving up ones culture or individuality. It means improving for the betterment of all mind kind.
When I stated that today's society is seeking instant gratification, that unfortunately is indeed a fact of the world we live in today and is not isolated to bonsai unfortunately. When taking into the context of bonsai, instant gratification to get there quicker, to show the world we can, and are better than, IMO that is wrong and practicing bonsai for the wrong reasons. This once again IMO is doing bonsai for the wrong reasons, where the destination is more important than the journey. When Attila raised a point in "Are you serious about bonsai", well I sort of lost it. Because IMO, the point was raised out of context. We all know the best way of achieving a better bonsai is through collected material, Europe have been doing it for many years and are indeed the envy of the Eastern world (also mentioned). This envy is paramount over the often seen salivation of available yamadori in the US. The point Peter was trying to convey IMO was in order to produce bonsai in the shortest possible time was to use collected material, but as we know if time is not a factor, then it is not the only way, and hence based on the entire interview, the bonsai journey is more important than the destination, regardless of when the destination occurs providing the journey has been a fulfilling one.
I have followed your work but for a short time now, and albeit a short time, I know you enjoy the journey. I know you are producing trees that come from within vice going through mechanical motions. In saying that I believe you can support this statement: "If it is worth doing then let's do it right" and that is the wisdom I came out with from reading Peter's interview. Understand the meaning behind what you are doing, and do it. But in order to do so IMO, you need to go back to the roots of the hobby, find its faults and improve on them, so in the end hopefully create better bonsai.
When it comes to displays, the Japanese have a very profound way and reason for doing certain things, once again Peter allures to this. He also states that their is nothing wrong with changing things to suit individual and cultural settings, as long as the balance is maintained. Following your achievements, having attended a school of fine arts, I know you completely understand Peter's meaning.
In closing, I thank this opportunity to express truly where I come from. Bonsai should indeed be practice at any level, unencumbered and done right, and we should all embrace the raptures of its journey, regardless of what that journey is.
If I offended you that was not my intent and extend my most sincere apologies. In retrospect I do not apologize for my review, but the way in which I portrayed my beliefs under the improprieties of political correctness.
Kindest regards,
Rick
Stereotyping any society is wrong, regardless of the intent. It is unfortunate that in every walks of life, there exist certain individuals which will indeed portrait entire societies and cultures in a bad light.
In closing, as stated above I apologize if I offended anyone, it was not and is not my intent. My intent is quite clear. Let's take out the good and leave the bad behind, in the pursuit of our passion which is creating good bonsais, which in turn we can be proud of. Bow in humility to their majestic presence, while allowing the world to be captivated by their beauty and artistic representation unencumbered.
To me that is what bonsai is all about.
