Page 64 - BSAM 2016 Q3

Top left and middle; The material for this forest was ground-trained for twenty years, then container-grown for more than twenty ve years. The juvenile form foliage and uneven overall growth are a sign that the trees have not been transplanted in a long time.
and uncanny disposition to win the battle against the elements have always been the source of inspiration in my creation process. With this in mind, the puzzle of how to humbly recreate my version of the Mysterious Forest began.
The Material
Back in 2010, my good friend Mr. Ken Chen, brought me eight Juniperus chinensis trees, container- grown by his uncle for more than twenty ve years, previously ground trained for an additional twenty years. At rst glance, the material was a bit weak, as manifested by juvenile form foliage and uneven overall growth. Upon further inspection, I realized that the trees had not been transplanted in a long time and were unable to absorb nutrients properly. Visually, the material had sinuous trunks, pleasing interplay between live and dead portions and had a wild quality that lent itself to represent what I had in mind: the image of Taiwanese high mountain junipers. Furthermore, some of the trees had drooping branches that trailed close to the ground, a constant characteristic present in the high altitude alpine forest.
Middle row; Some of the trees had drooping branches that trailed close to the ground, a constant characteristic present in the high altitude alpine forest.
Bottom; After improving their general health, ve of the original eight trees brought to me by Mr. Chen were nally selected in 2011 as the material to be incorporated into the Mysterious Forest
62 | BCI | July/August/September 2016