Too much?

Damian Bee · Post by **Damian Bee** » December 13th, 2012, 4:54 am

Looking at Bonsai Bark this morning, the picture shows a tree by Mario Komsta, the tree in question is at the top of the page in the link below

http://bonsaibark.com/2012/12/11/ramificato-ad-extremo/

The work done on the tree is detailed but at first glance I felt that there was something amiss

What do you think?

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » December 13th, 2012, 5:34 am

I agree with some of the comments on the page itself, whilst undoubtedly a remarkable tree I can't help but think the earliest shot looks the best. I can still see/admire the work and skill put into the tree but I think it's better off titled extreme branching!!!

Anth · Post by **Anth** » December 13th, 2012, 6:46 am

I'm only new and young to bonsai. IMO the last photo is the best.
The first photo all I can see is a stump and a mess of branches and no shape apart from its silhouette .
In the last picture you can the trunk from top to bottom and almost every branch and it's ramifications . And it still has a great silhouette.
I can see much more talent and skill in the last picture than the first.

anttal63 · Post by **anttal63** » December 13th, 2012, 7:24 am

Anth wrote:I'm only new and young to bonsai. IMO the last photo is the best.
The first photo all I can see is a stump and a mess of branches and no shape apart from its silhouette .
In the last picture you can the trunk from top to bottom and almost every branch and it's ramifications . And it still has a great silhouette.
I can see much more talent and skill in the last picture than the first.

AMEN !!!

Qitianlong · Post by **Qitianlong** » December 13th, 2012, 7:29 am

whichever photo... man what an amazing tree!!

Andrew Legg · Post by **Andrew Legg** » December 13th, 2012, 7:57 pm

OK, so, it bugs me too! I'll tell you why. The trunk and branches tell me a story of an old battered rugged tree. The trunk has fantastic texture and the branching has been done to contradict any sense of smooth lines. Then you have the outline - Darth Vader's helmet. It's just too perfect. Too topiary like, and to me this contradicts the rest of the story. Horticulturally the tree is superb. Would I have it on my benches - hell yeah, but does it bug me, yip, sure does!

Andrew

Damian Bee · Post by **Damian Bee** » December 13th, 2012, 8:40 pm

It's almost a piece of contempory art that peeves the viewer but has value for that very reason

Perhaps that is the angle?

treeman · Post by **treeman** » December 14th, 2012, 9:07 am

Andrew Legg wrote:OK, so, it bugs me too! I'll tell you why. The trunk and branches tell me a story of an old battered rugged tree. The trunk has fantastic texture and the branching has been done to contradict any sense of smooth lines. Then you have the outline - Darth Vader's helmet. It's just too perfect. Too topiary like, and to me this contradicts the rest of the story. Horticulturally the tree is superb. Would I have it on my benches - hell yeah, but does it bug me, yip, sure does!

Andrew

I couldn't agree more. Its a rather boring shape. Much better if some (many?) branches were removed and a whole lot of space created which would be more in line with the look of an ancient tree. You see this quite a lot in some of the Black pines created in Japan too. A fantastic specimen nonetheless.

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » December 14th, 2012, 9:28 am

Still a beautiful tree, but I prefer it before it became a Semi-Cascade and the wonderful trunk was prominent.

Cheers,
Mojo

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » December 14th, 2012, 9:32 am

I try to think about this tree in full leaf and doubt I would be able to see any branching and probably very little of the trunk if any. I agree with Andrew-darth vaders helmet- and yes I'd still have it on my bencj

emi93m · Post by **emi93m** » December 14th, 2012, 9:45 am

WOW So much negative Critiquing on a Amazing tree

Just saying Goodbye to AUSbONSAI for that exact reason !

Mick

Boics · Post by **Boics** » December 14th, 2012, 10:18 am

Mick.

Clearly the post by Damian was put forward to Ausbonsai to promote views and discussion.
The post has worked and opinions have been put forward.

The general theme (which I agree with) is that it might be a bit overdone but an amazing tree nonetheless.
I really like Damian's take in that this might indeed be the exact reaction the artist is trying to evoke!

There's no need to take it too personally or seriously.
The forum is for sharing idea's, advise, critique and (hopefully) constructive discussion.
I don't feel that any of these themes have been crossed..

It's Friday mate, hopefully 6 or less days of work to go and Christmas!
Lighten up!

craigw60 · Post by **craigw60** » December 14th, 2012, 12:13 pm

I don't know how many of you out there have any experience growing laxiflora hornbeam ? I have had a few of them over the years and let me tell you this tree is an astonishing achievement for this species.I have one here which was grown from seed in the early 80s and it certainly doesn't look like that. I think when critiquing a tree it is very important to understand the species as well as its artistic elements
Craigw

MattA · Post by **MattA** » December 14th, 2012, 2:48 pm

I like the earliest pic of ths tree, before it was taken to extremes, but for me thats what this is all about, pushing the subject to the extreme. I would love to have it on my bench so I can take it to a different extreme

GavinG · Post by **GavinG** » December 14th, 2012, 3:36 pm

I think we all agree that it is an extraordinary technical achievement, the question is whether the technique has made the tree more or less artistically interesting. Technique for its own sake can be a trap. Just because every branch and twig has been wired does not mean that the tree is beautiful - it just makes it tidy.

I have to agree that the powerful trunk doesn't agree with the smoothly-clipped outline, the lines of the branches no longer harmonise with the trunk, and that in leaf, the effect of the branches and the trunk will be entirely obscured. It's an amazing effect, but the earlier tree was more beautiful and balanced, in my opinion.

And no, of course, I have no trees of that quality. But having thought about the issues with this tree, I'll go and look at my own, and start clearing a bit of space in some places. We criticize these trees, not because we think we are better growers, but to refine the way we look at our own trees, and hopefully improve. A lot of trees on this site have made me think hard, many thanks to all who post their work.

Gavin

AusBonsai

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