Good Day to All,
General response,

Hmm,the concept of running a race against your self.

Can't fault the idea/philosophy.
Only the sometimes caustic way ideas are expressed.

Yes,I agree,with what is being said,but not the tone.

In fact I can agree with much of what Andy says,save
it is usually so ---designed to be argumentative,rather
than thought provoking.

Strange,since he is expressing sensible ideas,but angering
everyone so much,that no one will listen.
You may now flame me as well.
Khaimraj
West Indies/Caribbean

*At times it feels as though he knows when he will die to
the minute.Rather like those folk who need to make x amount
of Bonsai because their 80+ and have only so much life left.
Forgetting that life is a gift and every day lived - a blessing.





A judged bonsai exhibit is NOT A CONTEST OF CONTENTION. "People" do not
"win" a judged bonsai exhibit. Rather, some bonsai are judged to be
excellent. Period. Let us please get over ourselves and quit being so
concerned with "who" wins a bonsai contest. There is no reason for any
names to be associated with the bonsai in a judged exhibit. The only way
for a judged bonsai exhibit to enhance the endeavor is for us to recognize
excellent bonsai art - examples from which we artists and enthusiasts can
learn about excellence. Focusing on this or that artist does nothing to
enhance our endeavor.

As with the game of golf, it is impossible for one bonsai artist to "beat"
another in a judged exhibit. Rather, each puts forth his/her effort and
the
results of that effort are evaluated. In golf, it is impossible for one
player to "beat" the other. Instead, each plays his/her best and their
scores are compared at the end. One score is, according to the
rules/conventions, the better score. These are individual efforts that are
later evaluated, not competitive efforts that win at the expense of the
other.

What you seem so attached to is certainly one way to organize a competition
between artists. However, why can't we ALSO have the opportunity to simply
compare the artistry, beauty, message, image of great art and officially
recognize a few of the highest examples in the form of a judged exhibit?
Here again, we're talking about the ADDITION of an activity, not
replacement
of one method for another.

I hope that this explanation/plea reaches you (and others) and I hope that
you can begin to recognize the distinction and the inherent value in what
I'm describing. Thanks.

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

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