THE ART OF FORMAL DISPLAY

A ZOOM PRESENTATION TO THE BONSAI SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA,

MAY, 2020

Available Reference InformationPowerPoint Files Available From

Ham Agnew

• The Art of Formal Display – May 2020

– Mike and Lunetta Knowlton

• Bonsai Display – 2015

– Jack Sustic

• The Art of Formal Display – 2017

– Jim Brandt

REFERENCE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ART OF DISPLAY

• FLORIDA BONSAI, Winter 2010

– “Displaying Bonsai: Checklist and Tips”, Mike Sullivan

– “The Meaning of a Formal Display”, Louise Leister

• Bonsai Focus, Nov/Dec 2010

– “Turning the Tables, Part 2”, Master KunioKobayashi

THE MANY ASPECTS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO BONSAI

▪ Horticulture and Art

▪ Styles

▪ Species and Varieties of Trees

▪ Regional and Cultural Differences

▪ Stone Appreciation

▪ Formal Display

Formal Display

• What is so special about formal display?

• Why do it?

• It is expensive!

• It is time consuming/ a lot of work!

• It requires a fully developed bonsai!

• It moves you out of your comfort zone!

Formal Display

• It takes you to the next level in your bonsai journey!

• It puts you in a position to move from beginner/intermediate bonsai enthusiast toward advanced!

Formal Display

• Importance of Critiques

– A Learning Tool

– An Important Way to Improve Your Tree and your Display

• A Different Set of Eyes to Objectively Evaluate

• Ed Trout/Mike Lane Critique Criteria– Keep them in mind – They are excellent!

HEALTH - There is good color and vibrant appearance.NEBARI - Is the Nebari evenly divided and well-spaced? DEPTH -Tree appears 3- dimensional on all sides.TAPER - The trunk and branches have proper taper.MOVEMENT - There is good flow in trunk and branches. CREATIVITY - Artists’ concept is very visible in the creation.POT SELECTION - Pot size, shape and color match composition.MATURITY - Are old wounds healed, tool marks removed and does the design feel complete and aged? RAMIFICATION - The number of branch divisions and where they are grown.

JAPANESE CLASSICAL BONSAI AESTHETICS AS APPLIED TO DISPLAY

• Keido/Katayama School of Display

• Tokonoma

– Origins of Using Moss and Tables (Stands)

• Kobayashi

– “Use your head to maintain bonsai and your heart to enjoy bonsai.”

• Peter Warren

JAPANESE CLASSICAL BONSAI AESTHETICS AS APPLIED TO DISPLAY

• Respect

• Negative Space

• Simple/Understated/Elegant

• Flow/Movement

• Masculine/Feminine

JAPANESE CLASSICAL BONSAI AESTHETICS AS APPLIED TO DISPLAY

• More Important Concepts– Coordination of Display Items

• Formal/Semiformal/Informal

• Seasonal

• Masculine/Feminine

– Variability of Display Items

• Mossing Tips– Different Textures and Varieties

– Hiding Defects

Importance of Good Mossing

Importance of Good Mossing

Importance of Good Mossing

SUTHIN’S TIPS

Gmelina Before Trim

Gmelina Leaves and Branches

Gmelina Display #1

Gmelina Display #2

Ficus Before Trim

Ficus Leaves

Ficus Display #1

Ficus Display #2

Ficus Display #3

2019 US National Shohin Exhibition

2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

2019 US National Shohin Exhibition

2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

2017 BSSWF Exhibit

2019 BSF Exhibition

Contemporary/Non Traditional Display

• It is becoming Increasingly Popular

• Evolution of Bonsai Beyond Japan

• Black Scissors Movement

• Almost Anything Goes

2014 BSF Exhibit

2017 ABS/BSF Exhibit

2019 US National Bonsai Exhibition

2014 FELAB Exhibit, Puerto Rico

2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition