Comments on: Preparing a display http://bonsaitonight.com/2009/07/13/preparing-a-display/ The blog alternative to mainstream bonsai media Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:57:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Impending Exhibit « Bonsai Tonight http://bonsaitonight.com/2009/07/13/preparing-a-display/#comment-481 Impending Exhibit « Bonsai Tonight Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:03:59 +0000 http://bonsaitonight.com/?p=518#comment-481 [...] for the event, I began selecting trees to display in January. In July, I put together a few trial displays to get a sense of how I might display the trees I planned to exhibit. I realized, at the time, that [...] [...] for the event, I began selecting trees to display in January. In July, I put together a few trial displays to get a sense of how I might display the trees I planned to exhibit. I realized, at the time, that [...]

]]> By: xwires http://bonsaitonight.com/2009/07/13/preparing-a-display/#comment-162 xwires Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:58:01 +0000 http://bonsaitonight.com/?p=518#comment-162 @Alex - I too think a small deciduous tree would be a good fit. I don't, however, think that I'll have one ready in time for show next year. Although it is ok to show two confiers together, it's more common to see a fun mix of decidous/evergreen broadleaf/coniferous trees together. Another issue is that both trees have slender, curvy trunks. Increasing the variety of shapes, colors and styles represented in the display can be an improvement. It can also create a more compelling story - black pine grows near the water at low elevations, western junipers grow in the mountains. Displaying two trees that have more of a relationship, whether stylistically or otherwise, can also make for good display. @Scott - You're spot on about the slab. It's about as large as I'd want to get away with in an exhibit, and I'd prefer a slightly smaller slab given the choice. Other alternatives could include a low round stand, a square stand, or maybe even a root stand. It's an important detail you picked up on - I sometimes think visual weight is more important than style, color or other considerations. It's fun because it's so subjective. It's what makes a 22" bunjin look good in a three point display and it's frequently the most challenging aspect of selecting an accent plant. It's also something that can be perceived by artistically inclined visitors to bonsai exhibits who don't know the first thing about bonsai. Above all, it's something perceived internally and refined as we continue to work with bonsai display. @Alex – I too think a small deciduous tree would be a good fit. I don’t, however, think that I’ll have one ready in time for show next year. Although it is ok to show two confiers together, it’s more common to see a fun mix of decidous/evergreen broadleaf/coniferous trees together. Another issue is that both trees have slender, curvy trunks. Increasing the variety of shapes, colors and styles represented in the display can be an improvement. It can also create a more compelling story – black pine grows near the water at low elevations, western junipers grow in the mountains. Displaying two trees that have more of a relationship, whether stylistically or otherwise, can also make for good display.

@Scott – You’re spot on about the slab. It’s about as large as I’d want to get away with in an exhibit, and I’d prefer a slightly smaller slab given the choice. Other alternatives could include a low round stand, a square stand, or maybe even a root stand. It’s an important detail you picked up on – I sometimes think visual weight is more important than style, color or other considerations. It’s fun because it’s so subjective. It’s what makes a 22″ bunjin look good in a three point display and it’s frequently the most challenging aspect of selecting an accent plant. It’s also something that can be perceived by artistically inclined visitors to bonsai exhibits who don’t know the first thing about bonsai. Above all, it’s something perceived internally and refined as we continue to work with bonsai display.

]]> By: Scott Straley http://bonsaitonight.com/2009/07/13/preparing-a-display/#comment-160 Scott Straley Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:15:30 +0000 http://bonsaitonight.com/?p=518#comment-160 Jonas, Great post, I like the 3 point display as well. With all displays, I feel my opinion is a bit unlearned, as I am still just learning to take proper care of my trees, let alone make decisions about displays. That being said, would a smaller slab for the bunjin and a small stand for the pine be what you are after in the display? I'm just wondering if the bunjin would look more appropriate that way. You thoughts? Scott Jonas,
Great post, I like the 3 point display as well. With all displays, I feel my opinion is a bit unlearned, as I am still just learning to take proper care of my trees, let alone make decisions about displays. That being said, would a smaller slab for the bunjin and a small stand for the pine be what you are after in the display? I’m just wondering if the bunjin would look more appropriate that way. You thoughts?

Scott

]]> By: AlexV http://bonsaitonight.com/2009/07/13/preparing-a-display/#comment-159 AlexV Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:29:46 +0000 http://bonsaitonight.com/?p=518#comment-159 Hey Jonas, I really liked the 3 point over the 2. Something about Bunjin that makes them take up less space. I also liked both the juniper and the pine, but not as much together. I think its a prejudice against too many similar trees in a display. I was trying to think of what I would ideally like to see with that juniper and was thinking along the lines of a kifu deciduous tree like a maple or stuartia. Having much more experiance than I do, whats your thoughts on the trees involved in a 3 pt display? Thanks! Cheers, Alex Hey Jonas,

I really liked the 3 point over the 2. Something about Bunjin that makes them take up less space. I also liked both the juniper and the pine, but not as much together. I think its a prejudice against too many similar trees in a display. I was trying to think of what I would ideally like to see with that juniper and was thinking along the lines of a kifu deciduous tree like a maple or stuartia. Having much more experiance than I do, whats your thoughts on the trees involved in a 3 pt display? Thanks!

Cheers,
Alex

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