The Artist and the Tree

The Artist and the Tree

How do we perceive ourselves in nature?  Many see nature as a trip to the park or a vacation to the wilderness.  In essence nature is all around us from the tiny ant crossing your kitchen table to the legendary redwoods of the Californian coast.  Take a moment to stop and think about how you perceive nature.  Do you see yourself as being part of it or do you view it from afar?  If we look back to the early practitioners of bonsai, the Literati Scholars of ancient China.  We can see their interpretation of nature demonstrated by painted landscapes on scrolls.  More than 98% of the composition is represented by natural elements such as mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, and animals.  Then if you look very closely the keen observer may spot a tiny hut tucked away in the corner or perhaps a stick figure of a man fishing in the river.  The human element in these works tend to be very minimal.  Why is that? 

We all alter our natural environments in one way or another and in doing separate ourselves from our natural roots.  With the rise of civilization comes buildings, pavement, technology, man-made structures and devices created to make our lives easier.  Perhaps somewhere along the way we have removed ourselves from our original environment.  We plant trees, shrubs, and flowers in parks, yards, and gardens in an effort to redevelop a place where tranquility and a peace-of-mind can be found.  When we do so we strive to bridge the gap between humanity and nature.

When we practice bonsai we just don’t create an identical version of nature in miniature.  We highlight natural elements which are familiar to us to create an image.  This image may convey a focused message of life, death, and/or survival.  We bridge the gap for others so they may enjoy and understand that feeling.  Many artists see their bonsai as natures ambassadors.  Creatures which bridge the gap between man and the natural world.  They also make us stop for a moment and view what we otherwise might overlook.  Together the artist and tree convey their message in unity to the unsuspecting viewer.

Wabi-Sabi

The term Wabi-Sabi is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.  It is a way of seeing beyond an objects physical or structural value.  It could be compared to how coin collectors value patina.  It is the result of graceful aging, use, and ware.  An objects Wabi-Sabi is sometimes referred to as “The crack that lets the light shine through.”  It may be an objects imperfection which is valued.  The element of an object such as a chip in a tea cup which tells the story of its life.  The ware and wrinkles of an experience face.  The bottom step of a farm house whose stair had been trodden upon by multiple generations.  It is an emotional value which is extremely difficult to replicate.  An artist who can see the Wabi-Sabi of a tree may work to highlight this feature and make it the focus of his composition.

The Way you Think

The way we think has great influence over how we see and operate.  Are you open to new ideas and ideologies?  Obviously we are all a product of your environments and histories.  It is however important to keep an open mind, and not just the idea of an open mind.

Following someone else's lead may create a solid foundation for us to work from but sometime the chicks will need to leave the nest.  Some people see the glass as half full and some see it as half empty, but an engineer sees that he needs a different glass.  We all have different ideas, ideologies, and typifications.  However, innovation can create whole new glasses to fill.  The world is full of ideas, perceptions, and theories.  Identify what you find interesting then work with it.

Vision

This is by far the most powerful tool humanity has to offer.  Without vision we would still be scavenging the world for a living.  Ideas, theories, and innovation would not be possible without vision.  Taking something from our environment and manipulating it to fill our needs and/or wants is a unique anomaly rarely found in nature.  One could almost dedicate our entire civilization to this natural trait.  Vision is a fluke of creation/evolution that has drastically changed the surface of our planet.  It exists through us, providing us great power and responsibility.  Vision is a force that perhaps stands side-by-side with mother nature herself.  So the next time you stand back and envision how you are about to wire that branch, use your power wisely.