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king kong

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To our European friends. A little background so you may understand the reason for this sudden curiosity attack. I recently was asked to supply a photo of a tree that I have grown the better part of my life for a local tropical mag. No big deal. Then I had to supply a time line charting my bonsai years and the tree's years with me. The editor looked at me and remarked "do you realize that this tree is the first bonsai in Florida?" Wammo, the curiosity thing hit me over night for the first time like a ton of bricks. Now I want to meet and talk to every bonsai person ... even Harry.
Here goes the questions. What is the most popular bonsai association, EBA or BCI or...? How many years have you been practicing the art of bonsai? Is Bonsai-start-kabel.nl the web bible, a good index to refer to for European bonsai? Fire away!
 
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greerhw

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To our European friends. A little background so you may understand the reason for this sudden curiosity attack. I recently was asked to supply a photo of a tree that I have grown the better part of my life for a local tropical mag. No big deal. Then I had to supply a time line charting my bonsai years and the tree's years with me. The editor looked at me and remarked "do you realize that this tree is the first bonsai in Florida?" Wammo, the curiosity thing hit me over night for the first time like a ton of bricks. Now I want to meet and talk to every bonsai person ... even Harry.
Here goes the questions. What is the most popular bonsai association, EBA or BCI or...? How many years have you been practicing the art of bonsai? Is Bonsai-start-kabel.nl the web bible, a good index to refer to for European bonsai? Fire away!

You don't want to talk to me, Vance Wood proved I don't know sh*t about junipers after collecting Itowgawa and Kishu for the last ten years.

Harry
 

Smoke

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To our European friends. A little background so you may understand the reason for this sudden curiosity attack. I recently was asked to supply a photo of a tree that I have grown the better part of my life for a local tropical mag. No big deal. Then I had to supply a time line charting my bonsai years and the tree's years with me. The editor looked at me and remarked "do you realize that this tree is the first bonsai in Florida?" Wammo, the curiosity thing hit me over night for the first time like a ton of bricks. Now I want to meet and talk to every bonsai person ... even Harry.
Here goes the questions. What is the most popular bonsai association, EBA or BCI or...? How many years have you been practicing the art of bonsai? Is Bonsai-start-kabel.nl the web bible, a good index to refer to for European bonsai? Fire away!


Most popular or oldest? BCI was an offshoot of the California Bonsai Society started by Frank Nagata, Sam Doi and John Naka. This was in 1950. In the late fifties around 1959 a schism forced the society into two different entities. So was born the Los Angelas Bonsai Society. In 1962 six clubs banded together by constitution and formed BCA ( Bonsai Clubs Associated). With members in Canada and Africa the name was changed to BCI ( Bonsai Clubs International ).

Cheers, Al
 

Walter Pall

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What is the most popular bonsai association, EBA or BCI or...? How many years have you been practicing the art of bonsai? Is Bonsai-start-kabel.nl the web bible, a good index to refer to for European bonsai? Fire away!

KK,

bonsai associations are not popular in Europe as they are not in America. The average bonsai practitioner could not care less. BCI is virtually non-existent in Europe. The recent BCI Convention in Italy does not change this at all. EBA is not relevant for average folks. Typically these organizations were responsible to organize THE most important events in a year. This is not true anymore. Now the main events are organized by individuals and companies.

I personally have played this game for thirty years. Bonsai in Europe has basically started about 30 years ago if you take out Britain, where it was prbably about 40 years.

Bonsai startkabel.nl is a good start. But don't think that you have more than a first overview. There are more than 500 very good bonsai practitioners in Europe. Only a fraction is shown at startkabel.
 

irene_b

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To our European friends. A little background so you may understand the reason for this sudden curiosity attack. I recently was asked to supply a photo of a tree that I have grown the better part of my life for a local tropical mag. No big deal. Then I had to supply a time line charting my bonsai years and the tree's years with me. The editor looked at me and remarked "do you realize that this tree is the first bonsai in Florida?" Wammo, the curiosity thing hit me over night for the first time like a ton of bricks. Now I want to meet and talk to every bonsai person ... even Harry.
Here goes the questions. What is the most popular bonsai association, EBA or BCI or...? How many years have you been practicing the art of bonsai? Is Bonsai-start-kabel.nl the web bible, a good index to refer to for European bonsai? Fire away!

Kudos to you Dave!
My Respect goes to you for the longevity and for starting with what most consider crap! (I also love growing from seed as well and going thru life together with my trees)
Irene
 

king kong

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OK now. Got a dose of "Wordly Bonsai Info" last night talking to a friend that travels so this is good. The next subject that drives me nuts is this bonsai appreciation thing. Here is a thought I read from a US collector, I don't want to name the author so will change a little. Our (USA) largest weakness is our main culture does not appreciate bonsai as an art. What do you think?
 

Smoke

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OK now. Got a dose of "Wordly Bonsai Info" last night talking to a friend that travels so this is good. The next subject that drives me nuts is this bonsai appreciation thing. Here is a thought I read from a US collector, I don't want to name the author so will change a little. Our (USA) largest weakness is our main culture does not appreciate bonsai as an art. What do you think?

Dangerous territory.....
 

pauldogx

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Dangerous territory.....

Agreed.

However, art in general is not appreciated here as it is in Europe--not just Bonsai.

Most of our great blues and jazz musicians have only made a living by going to Europe and Asia.
 
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Walter Pall

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Our (USA) largest weakness is our main culture does not appreciate bonsai as an art. What do you think?

sure, I agree and then I have to add:
The largest weakness of bonsai in Japan is that their culture does not appreciate bonsai as an art.
And: The largest weakness of bonsai in Europe is that by and large it is not appreciated as an art.

Helpful?
 

king kong

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OK Walter, are we talking about two separate thoughts here before I go on? Bonsai appreciation one and bonsai as an 'Art' appreciation. Is there a difference? If so what, if not fine.
 

Walter Pall

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Sure there is a difference.

I speak about appreciation of bonsai as an artform.

It's a given that only small minority of Japanese people appreciate bonsai in general. And an extremely small minority in Europe and an almost invisible minority in America.

But then these minorites overwhelmingly don't appreciate bonsai as an art form.
 

king kong

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I would love to know your understanding of 'bonsai as an Art form' is Walter. What in general terms are we talking about here? What's the difference between the two?
 

Walter Pall

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Dangerous territory!!

It is very simple. I believe that bonsai is an art form and also a craft. To me it has become and art form in the western meaning - being innovative and creative. It also for many is an art form in the eastern meaining - repetitive.

Sorry, but I don't feel to go throgh all this again. Search Bonsai Talk for all sorts of comments. And even more important, got to Art of Bonsai Project.
I don't think that here is the right place to discuss this.
 

king kong

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OK, forget that stuff, the one question I have is what in the USA holds the interest of the Europeans? I see endless trees of world class quality in Europe. Is there a particular species we have you find so interesting or is there some sort of language convenience matter making it easier to communicate here? Do you find us bubbling with knowledge or in the dire need of help? lol
 
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greerhw

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I think Walter has already found all the good stuff in The Alps, now he's cherry picking all the outstanding RMJ's and Ponderosas. The best part is they can't be imported in Europe. :) Show me the money. There's no business like show business.(humming) Why do you think Walter is buying them here and selling them here.

Harry
 
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Walter Pall

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OK, forget that stuff, the one question I have is what in the USA holds the interest of the Europeans?

KK,

the average European bonsaiist is NOT interested in what you are doing. They are not even really interested what other Europeans are doing. Only problem is that the only common language is English.
Most Americans going to forums in the English language think that they are visiting an American fourm. They take it for granted. I am NOT visiting an American forum when I visit any of the bonsai forums. I am visiting international forums.
 
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king kong

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I think Walter would look stunning in Orange and Blue!
 

greerhw

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I think Walter would look stunning in Orange and Blue!

Our star running back won't be there, so we will just have to beat you with one hand tied behind our back. Go Sooners !!!

Harry
 
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