Page 7 - BSAM 2017 Q4

Beyond the comparatively subtle transformation of the medium is cultural bias. For centuries in Asia and decades in Europe, there has been a relatively large ac-ceptance of bonsai as fne art, with numerous skilled, competitive artists, and a regard for bonsai as fne art to be created, prized, and collected. By contrast, in the Americas, bonsai was until quite recently regarded as simply a horticultural curiosity and a leisure time activity – a hobby/craf. Many bonsai are just that, and there is nothing wrong with it, but as more people in the New World are exposed to expert work and expert teaching, there are more who wish to move their trees and their collections to a more sophisticated level that provides deeper aesthetic satisfaction.As with any art, there are some people who will al-ways lack the vision or talent or interest to get beyond early hobby quality trees in their collections, but for those who seek improvement, simply organizing the efort can yield good results. My check list includes the following:• Information• Commitment• Resources• Acquisition• Development• RestraintThe bonsai artist starts with a tree, and transforms it into an image of a tree. Granted the image is of a diferent tree, larger, older, perhaps more dramatic, but to the uninitiated, it is a step too small. It still looks like gardening. Facing page; Photo copyright Weyerhaeuser Company.