Traditional Stands for Bonsai

[ronlang]

Dale "dbrock" posed an interesting question and idea that I thought would be better covered in a new thread:

Ron, have you ever considered making some stands. I think there could be some very elongant and interesting stands made for bonsai display. I can see a white stand with a crackle finish, giving the suggestion of age. What do you think? I realize tradition stand are mostly wood, but I an interested in pushing the limits.

I agree Dale there's a lot of room in bonsai for innovation, especially if it's to evolve and flourish in new cultures where it takes root. Not many of us would argue that understanding and appreciating the "Traditional" way of doing things is critical to helping us understand and appreciate the arts, crafts, literature, architecture, etc, etc of other cultures separate from us in distance and even time. Your idea of rethinking the stand as a presentation for bonsai is something I have thought about a lot. I have tried to see if the bonsai could effectively be presented in a way that the stand was the container and vice versa. The typical (traditional) proportions of tree and container might change. Maybe the "container" would take on a more important role in the compositional relationship. Tradition says that the container is always subordinate to the tree. Ok fine, no problem. But why not be a little non-traditional?
I made these three pieces for an exhibition I called "Bonsai inSites" Collaborations between Tree and Container. If you'd like to see and read more about the exhibit check on our site in the "Experimental Forms" link. LangBonsai.com
Ron

Sculptural Stand/ Container called "Cliff Dweller" 2002
21"H x 12" L x 10.5" W

CliffDweller72dpi.jpg (216.59 KiB) Viewed 1520 times

"Surreal Estate" 2002
18"H x 20" L x 14" W

SurrealEstate72dpi.jpg (104.16 KiB) Viewed 1520 times

"Utah Ledge" 2003 w/ Robusta Green Juniper
36" H x 34" L x 16" W Photo credit: Frank Grillo

UtahLedge72dpi.jpg (198.96 KiB) Viewed 1520 times

[mboatman]

Cliff dweller and utah ledge are absolutly amazing but for sure one would have to really think about what trees would be placed in these. Not just any tree just to say look at me, i have a wierd pot with a seedling or a telephone pole sticking out. I would have to say cliff dweller is my favorite of the the three. Its awful fascinating!

[centaura]

I really like Utah Edge, have since I first saw it. The pot is really adding atmosphere to the tree, without taking away the primacy of the tree. While Surreal Estate is interesting, for me, the base has too much of an impact that catches my attention and pulls it away from the trees. I would like to see Cliff Dweller when the tree has mature a bit more - right now its sitting between Utah Edge and Surreal Estate (in my estimate). When the tree's had a chance to mature more, and gain more visual impact, the cliff/container will be nice atmosphere for it. I love Ron's experiments, and the new inspirations that they're giving to American bonsai. He had a very interest dual container at the ABS Louisville conference - there was a trough for an accent planting at the front of the pot, and I saw all sorts of interesting ideas for that kind of combination.

-Cat

[ronlang]

Thanks Cat
I agree with your ranking of these three experimental bonsai presentations. The one called Surreal Estate came about when I was on sabbatical from my teaching job at MICA. I remember thinking about bonsai as a kind of retreat for me, away from my everyday routine. A special place reserved for meditation, positive thoughts, growth, renewal, etc and somehow removed from an otherwise cynical world. So "Surreal Estate" is meant to be a “reserve” a place set aside and protected, even fortified. I agree with you that the balance between tree(s) and container is overturned in traditional terms but it was kind of what I intended for this narrative. I’ve changed out several of the weaker trees in the arrangement and the composition has developed since this photo but the dynamic is still the same.
The cascade "Cliff Dweller" was sold during the exhibition and I have no idea how it is doing. I couldn’t agree more that the tree should be more mature to compete with this sculptural container. But I still like this one and want to make some new variations.

"Utah Ledge" is my favorite as well. I was trying to find a balance between the natural elements of a southwestern butte and mesa backdrop and man made, architectural components. Frank Lloyd Wright is an obvious influence. I made the piece specifically for the robusta green juniper.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments!
Ron