Craig Cowing noted on an IBC (bonsai club) thread today:
Today I emailed the president of the local arts society
to see if they would be interested in my doing an exhibit
of viewing stones. She responded that she would, and
added...
"They are art from the soul. Creation and seeing images
in nature is what I call a close encounter with God, and
only a artist's eye knows that."
What I hear Dani saying is that art is not just the crafting
of an object, but having the eye to see art in natural forms.
I've assumed its okay to cross-post this to the very quiet viewing stone
list, Craig. From your article "Enclosed By Grace"
http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/enclosedbygrace.htm, you find ample opportunities
for seeing creation, spirit & allusion as well as art in natural forms. The
article expressed your son relating a bonsai to historical time (the USA's
War Between the States) as well as your relating bonsai to God's time. I
especially liked the William Paley analogy you referenced-- a found stone
suggesting its creator.
Potomac Viewing Stone Group is about to discuss non-traditional display at
its January 25th meeting. Discussion will not focus on ignorance of
tradition (which is common in bonsai & suiseki exhibitions), but displays of
naturally contoured stones intending to touch viewers from a perspective
separate from traditional suiseki, suseok & scholar's rock aesthetics.
What is it that distinguishes them? One example is Mas Nakajima stone
presentation (called "suiseki art in the New Age") on the GSBF website:
http://www.gsbf-bonsai.org/Golden_St...ts/suiseki.htm
.... another is the Zymoglyphic Museum:
http://www.zymoglyphic.org/orientalia/desert.html
A Japanese catalog distributed to special clients expresses modern suiseki
taste stretching tradition, and we see modern artists accommodating natural
stones in their compositions or replicating scholars rocks in materials such
as stainless steel. Individuals (even groups) referencing "suiseki" often
inner-twine personal preference with tradition as though they must be the
same. For the PVSG discussion focused on artistic stone display, I'd
appreciate hearing of display options clearly separated from tradition, and
perhaps other VSL members would, as well.
Having fun with the non-traditional display (as in the Zymoglyphic Museum
shoeboxes!) or looking for alternatives to traditional suiseki display that
strives for artistic profundity (Mas's display) is worth exploration. We
can choose to embrace them or set them aside, but looking with hope for
understanding reveals willingness to grow ourselves. Perhaps it confirms
appreciation of conventions that focus our attention & respect.
Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane,
, Richmond VA USA
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