Bonsai - Living images
by M.A.Pemasiri
We are surrounded by various forms of beautiful trees, and most of us
simply enjoy their beauty, without thinking much about the features
which make them beautiful. For a Bonsai enthusiast, these beautiful
forms form the basis for inspiration, and simply looking at them will
not be sufficient. You have to analyse their structure, in order to
reproduce authentic miniature images of such trees.
A careful analysing of a tree leads one to understand its life story
and the conditions under which it grew over the years.
For, mountain trees grow in thin poor soil, and are exposed to strong
winds. Their life is a constant battle for survival under harsh
realities of the nature. However, such battle will give them, their
unique character, with very special attractive features.
A Bonsai artist will also have to learn the process of a young plant
turning out to an old tree, shedding many branches, leaving the
essential stronger ones, strong surface roots becoming a part of the
picture, giving stability and a mature look.
When the artistic forms of Bonsai trees are displayed at the
exhibitions, many enthusiastic viewers get a desire to try out creating
a Bonsai.
A beginner, could be little nervous of some of the techniques used,
but in no time, one can gain confidence as he /she see how the trees
respond, to the training.
With growing confidence, new ideas can be experimented, some will
succeed, and some may fail. But, with each failure, you will learn, how
to go ahead with the task of creating a "sculpture" out of a "living
specimen".
Bonsai can be a horticultural challenge to a plant lover, but for
someone with an artistic touch, Bonsai can be an excellent medium to
keep on exploring where there will be no limit to creative achievements.
What matters in a Bonsai, is the true quality of the specimen. How
beautiful it is?, How natural it looks? It is the beauty of form, colour
and texture, which matters.
It is a fact that the beauty of the tree will improve with the length
of time it had been trained as a Bonsai. But unless the basic form is of
quality, ageing itself will not make it, a good Bonsai.
But, the good thing with Bonsai is that you can keep on changing or
modifying the structure or the form, if you desire in doing so.
As it is an Artwork which is never finished, you can keep on working
with it over the years, where you can get immense satisfaction.
The size of a Bonsai is not an important factor. Many believe that
the larger the Bonsai, better it is, which is not true.
It is also assumed that bigger Bonsai are more difficult to create,
which also not true.
It can be argued that, a mini or "Mame" Bonsai will require more
patience and skills to create and maintain, because same aesthetic
standards have to be achieved with fewer and smaller elements.
A large collection of high Quality Bonsai Plants created by the
members of The Sri Lanka Bonsai Association will be on display, at their
Annual Exhibition "Reflections - 2014" at the J. D. A. Perera Gallery,
University of Visual and Performing Art, Horton Place, Colombo 7, from
October 10 to 12. |