What I really enjoy about these displays are the different contexts within which each bonsai is presented.
With some displays, I am aware of a narrative: the title of the display evokes a story and my mind wants to connect each of the elements of the display with the story.
With other displays, I am more aware of a kind of visual counterpoint: how the contrasting natures of each element plays off of the other elements. Some of the juxtapositions resonate with each other, others contrast.
And with others, I am more aware of the placement of the elements: I suspect that many people are reacting to this aspect of the displays when they speak about the placement of a scroll or the choice of an accent. (I rather like the tension that some of the artists introduce into their displays because of the unbalanced or unexpected placement of their elements to lend emphasis and draw one's focus.) For me, that is only one aspect of what is being presented. For me, what may be just as interesting is an idea that the artist may or may not be conveying.
The idea that a simple scroll might suggest a distant background filled with sky, that a kusamono might convey an entire field of grass is fascinating. The sparseness of some of the displays reminds of the spareness of haiku in which I can recreate in my mind a narrative from the suggestion of a poet's carefully chosen words. "What is most important cannot be seen."
One last thought: I like the idea of the impermanence of these displays; that these compositions are ephemeral and that the elements might be put in different contexts; that the bonsai will continue to grow and change, just as an observer might continue to grow and change. The artist's meaning might not be apparent to the observer at the first viewing, or perhaps the observer apprehends a meaning different from what the artist intends. I'm not a student of aesthetics, but I think the idea of an artist using objects to convey a subject---of objective and subjective modes of expression---
might be an interesting way to regard (maybe even meditate on) these compositions....
I wish I had the right words....
P
PS: Perhaps I should start a new thread, but I wonder if there are other people here who are practioners of any other art forms whether they are visual arts, language arts or performing arts; as professionals, amateurs or even dilettantes. I find it fascinating that many of the same issues I encounter in my field are also applicable to many other fields. Although the technical aspects may differ in detail, some of the larger issues are applicable in many different disciplines.