----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Cowing"
snip
In order to advance bonsai as an art, not merely a hobby (and personally,
I
don't see the highest manifestation of the bonsai owner as someone who
owns the
trees and pays someone else to maintain them--that's unnecessarily
elitist)
then we're going to have to work at it.
--------------

Craig, I have never said nor even suggested that wealthy collectors are the
hightest manifestation of bonsai owner. Are you now making things up in
order to paint my thrust in a negative light? That's rather malevolent,
isn't it? I hope you realize that we're not political opponents and there's
no need for demagoguery.

In reference to affluent arts patrons, I have lamented the fact that our
community does not welcome them - a significant reason for the fact that
there are few of them. One kind of enthusiast is no "better" than another.
The fact that affluent collectors can contribute more to the economy of an
endeavor and expand the scope of enthusiasm (from a different direction) is
a simple fact. This sort of participation is something that the endeavor in
the U.S. does not currently enjoy to any significant degree. This facet of
the community need not be "better" than the rest in order for us to welcome
it. Please don't misconstrue my observations on this issue.
--------------

Please see my separate post from earlier today on my
own gradual effort to have a local bonsai exhibit sponsored by a local
arts
society.
--------------

Excellent. I hope it works out well. Keep us updated.
--------------

I can't honestly belive that a person who has made a financial
commitment to pay someone to maintain a bonsai collection would have no
interest in watching demos, hearing lectures on various aspects of bonsai,
etc. Maybe if he did he would learn something--like how to pinch a
juniper,
perhaps.
---------------

Ha! You mean the way that other art collectors join clubs where they learn
the techniques of painting and scultpting? Craig, you are mistakenly
applying your brand of enthusiasm upon them. This is part of the problem -
too many of us can't understand how someone would not be interested in
learning the craft/creation aspects of bonsai. Art collectors don't
necessarily have any interest in learning how to "do" the art. They instead
COLLECT the art. What about this is so difficult for you to understand?
Why must we all be bonsai participants for the same reasons and in the same
manner? There's nothing "wrong" with these people. They simply have a
different mode of involvement in the community. I hope you can rewire your
mind with regard to this concept.
---------------


Also, why is competing in a contest the highest level of bonsai for some?
---------------

Again, you're misconstruing the point. It is not "the highest" level of
bonsai. It is simply a facet of our endeavor that here in the U.S. is done
very poorly and with ridiculous methods. I merely ask that we redefine our
approach. Why is this so difficult to consider?
---------------

Well, you've already given your reason, but don't assume that it is
crystal-clear to everyone else. For me, I just don't agree.
Craig Cowing
---------------

Now this I can understand and take at face value. Yes, perhaps you simply
disagree with my thrust. Fair enough. But please don't deform my arguments
so that you can more easily argue against them. Thanks.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/palaver/main.htm
zone 8, Texas

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