Winter Bonsai 2024, Kannapolis, NC (outside of Charlotte) December 7 & 8, 2024

[Hack Yeah!]

Regardless of the awards, this show is awesome. I love they have it every year. Admission is free. I appreciate each and every one of you artist that take time to enter and bring your trees for the rest of us to enjoy.

 

[Wood]

I wonder how much of this is growing pains of a community and a show. I've seen plenty of people say that the quality just keeps going up over the years. This was the first year that there was a jury process for entry.

I'm not entirely sure that's a problem either.

There doesn't seem to be space in the US for events dedicated to nice display that isn't tree-first, like tokonoma and tea ceremony display is in Japan. Maybe this event could be it? Less high-stakes than Nationals or the PBE and closer to purely artistic display?

 

[johng]

I also bit my tongue through a good portion of this thread. It saddens me really. There is so much about the American bonsai scene to be proud of, but it seems much of the judging is still highly influenced by bias and favoritism.

This is an absolute stunning venue full of many great trees. I really don't mean any offense to the award winners in any way. I congratulate you, as you obviously worked hard and showed excellent displays.

BUT, from the outside looking in, I have serious questions for the organizers and judges. What is the criteria for judging/awards at this show? Were exhibitors informed of the criteria? Were judges prepared and informed? Or was it just "Good ol' boy" style judging?

I'm a huge fan of how PBE and the Artisans Cup have been so transparent with their judging criteria and results. At least then judges have to own their biases if nothing else.

All of this comes from a deep desire to see American bonsai thrive. Why should the top artists bother showing if they know that their work will not be judged impartially? If we really want to see the level of bonsai continue to rise then shows need to rise to the occasion.

I tend to agree with Hartinez. It's better to not have awards at all than to not even recognize the best trees in the room.

Well said Dan! Thank you for chiming in!

I will say that this was an unusual year in terms of judging. Bill V was sick and did not make the event...typically he is the sole judge outside of the people's choice award. Even as late as mid afternoon on Saturday there had been no clear announcement as to how the critique and awards would be handled on Sunday morning. I've attended every critique at this event and did not know who would be doing it until I arrived on Sunday morning.

However, it was announced a year or two ago that Tyler would be filling Bill's shoes at this event as he slows down. Personally, I think if nothing changes, this transition will mark the demise of this show... For me, there is a huge difference between someone who has spent a lifetime teaching people to do bonsai for themselves and someone that primarily maintains imported client trees... I intend no disrespect at all to Tyler...in my eyes they are just very very different.

I'll ask again...when is it appropriate for a person to be the judge of their clients trees in what is presented as a public show?

I consider Sergio a good friend and I absolutely love his Arakawa, but it wasn't the best deciduous tree in the room. At its present state it lacks the ramification to compete with high quality imported trees. However, I completely value the fact that he started with rough material and has created a fabulous tree that will only get better and better with time....he is an ARTIST in every sense of the word...not just a caretaker with a large budget for bonsai.

 

[Shogun610]

Well said Dan! Thank you for chiming in!

I will say that this was an unusual year in terms of judging. Bill V was sick and did not make the event...typically he is the sole judge outside of the people's choice award. Even as late as mid afternoon on Saturday there had been no clear announcement as to how the critique and awards would be handled on Sunday morning. I've attended every critique at this event and did not know who would be doing it until I arrived on Sunday morning.

However, it was announced a year or two ago that Tyler would be filling Bill's shoes at this event as he slows down. Personally, I think if nothing changes, this transition will mark the demise of this show... For me, there is a huge difference between someone who has spent a lifetime teaching people to do bonsai for themselves and someone that primarily maintains imported client trees... I intend no disrespect at all to Tyler...in my eyes they are just very very different.

I'll ask again...when is it appropriate for a person to be the judge of their clients trees in what is presented as a public show?

I consider Sergio a good friend and I absolutely love his Arakawa, but it wasn't the best deciduous tree in the room. At its present state it lacks the ramification to compete with high quality imported trees. However, I completely value the fact that he started with rough material and has created a fabulous tree that will only get better and better with time....he is an ARTIST in every sense of the word...not just a caretaker with a large budget for bonsai.

Sergio/my teacher and others is what I aspire to be but w natives .. and it’s inspiring but also disheartening like these instances to see

 

[johng]

the quality just keeps going up over the years

unfortunately this just translates to more imported trees...not necessarily better trees created and inspired by our own culture. IMO if we want to be more than Japan Bonsaiophiles (and maybe we don't) that just mimic, copy and duplicate the art of another culture we need to value something more.

 

[johng]

Sergio/my teacher and others is what I aspire to be but w natives .. and it’s inspiring but also disheartening like these instances to see

That is admirable goal!

 

[johng]

This was the first year that there was a jury process for entry.

kind of... I would be in total support of a true juried process...but its funny how the clients of one person were all automatically accepted without a pic submission. I personally contacted 5 of the people on the list of accepted entries and not one had submitted a picture...or knew anything about it... So was it really juried????? Stop playing games and do what you say you are going to do or at least don't make the nepotism so painfully obvious...

 

[CaptColin]

Going back through my photos of the event, and somehow I can't find a Pic of a certain tree. There was a Hinoki in the center area facing the front door and it had some deadwood poking through the apex... Did anyone manage to grab a Pic of that tree?

 

[WavyGaby]

Going back through my photos of the event, and somehow I can't find a Pic of a certain tree. There was a Hinoki in the center area facing the front door and it had some deadwood poking through the apex... Did anyone manage to grab a Pic of that tree?

This one? I liked the balance and use of negative space.
It is Steve Z's.

 

[CaptColin]

Yeap that's the one! Thank you, sir

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Yeap that's the one! Thank you, sir

Here's another