Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in its Spring Catalogue
2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that promises new bonsai
insight.

You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical containers that are
readily available-- handmade clay containers, teapots, beer cans, decorative
paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and even eggshells... to create
modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The book adds horticultural &
design techniques for living material that assures "a living work of art to
display and enjoy as you like."

This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar, ring. After all, artists
have their perogatives... :-)

Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in replicas of miniature dancing
pants? Judge for yourself (and move over, Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/
http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

And they said bonsai was a static art form......NOT!

Kitsune Miko, who loves the whimsey expressed.

--- Chris Cochrane wrote:
Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in
its Spring Catalogue
2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that
promises new bonsai
insight.

You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical
containers that are
readily available-- handmade clay containers,
teapots, beer cans, decorative
paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and
even eggshells... to create
modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The book
adds horticultural &
design techniques for living material that assures
"a living work of art to
display and enjoy as you like."

This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar,
ring. After all, artists
have their perogatives... :-)

Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in
replicas of miniature dancing
pants? Judge for yourself (and move over,
Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/

http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Chris,
Thanks for alerting us to this new book. The little bit that I can see on
the site shows pretty, and unique pots and a bit less impressive trees.
Perhaps this may serve to revitalize bonsai for the younger generation by
giving it a more hip attitude and less your grandfather's old hobby.
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/

Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in its Spring Catalogue
2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that promises new bonsai
insight.

You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical containers that are
readily available-- handmade clay containers, teapots, beer cans, decorative
paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and even eggshells... to create
modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The book adds horticultural &
design techniques for living material that assures "a living work of art to
display and enjoy as you like."

This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar, ring. After all, artists
have their perogatives... :-)

Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in replicas of miniature dancing
pants? Judge for yourself (and move over, Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/
http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Regular readers (viewers?) of Kindai Bonsai will recognize Lisa from her
numerous appearances/articles in that periodical. She's sort of a "bonsai
kitsch chick" who brings Japan's funky youth culture into the otherwise
stayed and stodgy endeaover and publication.

It's interesting (to a point) and fun, but I'll take a pass. ;-)

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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Cochrane"
Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in its Spring Catalogue
2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that promises new bonsai
insight.
You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical containers that are
readily available-- handmade clay containers, teapots, beer cans,
decorative
paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and even eggshells... to
create
modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The book adds horticultural &
design techniques for living material that assures "a living work of art
to
display and enjoy as you like."
This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar, ring. After all, artists
have their perogatives... :-)
Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in replicas of miniature
dancing
pants? Judge for yourself (and move over, Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/
http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm
Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

The pots might catch on for a gag, but she'll have to do better than the
trees shown in her ads or she's headed for the Japanese equivalent of
Chapter 11.

ed

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Cochrane"
To:
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:29 AM
Subject: [IBC] _Pop Bonsai: Fun with Arranging Small Trees and Plants_
from Kodansha Press


Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in its Spring Catalogue
2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that promises new bonsai
insight.

You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical containers that are
readily available-- handmade clay containers, teapots, beer cans,
decorative
paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and even eggshells... to
create
modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The book adds horticultural &
design techniques for living material that assures "a living work of art
to
display and enjoy as you like."

This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar, ring. After all,
artists
have their perogatives... :-)

Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in replicas of miniature
dancing
pants? Judge for yourself (and move over, Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/
http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Chris: Thanks for the tip. As for ominous, I find it nothing of the
kind. Lisa Tajima is certainly not trying to pass this off as
"classical" bonsai or anything of the sort. Her site is pretty open
about the objectives.
I learned a long time ago that any orthodoxy which won't hold up
to questions and challenge is not really worth preserving and usually
more about protecting the status of the arbiters of that orthodoxy.
As for your question, "Is Japan embracing miniature trees
growing in replicas of miniature dancing pants?" I think you will find
some Japanese embracing this. Even this very old culture is very
complex and hardly monolithic. Change happens and life goes on. ;-)
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Cochrane
Kodansha Press drives the art of bonsai forward in its Spring
Catalogue 2004. The cover photo (!) advertises a book that promises
new bonsai insight.
You can learn how to use "interesting and whimsical containers
that are readily available-- handmade clay containers, teapots, beer
cans, decorative paper bags, wine glasses, motorcycle helmets and even
eggshells... to create modern and sometimes whacky silhouettes." The
book adds horticultural & design techniques for living material that
assures "a living work of art to display and enjoy as you like."
This "as you like" has an ominous, yet familiar, ring. After
all, artists have their perogatives... :-)
Is Japan embracing miniature trees growing in replicas of
miniature dancing pants? Judge for yourself (and move over,
Kimurasan)!
http://www.popbonsai.com/
http://www.browse.ne.jp/Contents/Ord...isa/item1.html
http://www.tepore.com/column/special/200302/05.htm
Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Okay, Andy, I'm intrigued.

Your label "bonsai kitsch chick" sticks marketably well to the image! A "kitsch chick" is likely either insipid or outrageously fun! These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful pot
s, alone-- though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

Can we attempt to understand Lisa Tajema's plantings before summarily dismissing them. She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and hordes of wannabees do something blandly im
itative on a budget. If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai publications. Not only Bonsai Kindai Shuppan but Kodansha is publishing these images-- and Kodansha has placed THIS book at the top o
f its spring marketing for books of the category (including a reprinting of _Classic Bonsai of Japan_).

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to the planting. IMO, the 4th planting (moving from left-to-right) on Lisa's gallery is intriguing:
http://lisa-t.hp.infoseek.co.jp/gallery1.html

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence, the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsai,
for me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Okay, Andy, I'm intrigued.

Your label "bonsai kitsch chick" sticks marketably well to the image! A "kitsch chick" is likely either insipid or outrageously fun! These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful pot
s, alone-- though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

Can we attempt to understand Lisa Tajema's plantings before summarily dismissing them. She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and hordes of wannabees do something blandly im
itative on a budget. If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai publications. Not only Bonsai Kindai Shuppan but Kodansha is publishing these images-- and Kodansha has placed THIS book at the top o
f its spring marketing for books of the category (including a reprinting of _Classic Bonsai of Japan_).

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to the planting. IMO, the 4th planting (moving from left-to-right) on Lisa's gallery is intriguing:
http://lisa-t.hp.infoseek.co.jp/gallery1.html

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence, the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsai,
for me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hey Chris,

You're preachin' to the choir, man. ;-) Yes, they're not my "thing," but I think they're pretty cool in and of themselves. Her effort is one toward fun and funky, owing only tacit allegience to "Bonsai." Heck, its fun and it's stylish (in its own way wi
thin the obvious context). I see nothing wrong with it, it's just not my bag. Her's is a syle (as in: lifestyle) thing and my style is just different.

I've long appreciated Lisa's mode of bonsai practice and profession. She's not bad for bonsai, mostly because of "her" and not necessarily because of how she compares to the Suzukis and Miyatas of the world. She's not trying to be something she's not. N
either are her works.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/
zone 8, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Cochrane


Okay, Andy, I'm intrigued.

Your label "bonsai kitsch chick" sticks marketably well to the image! A "kitsch chick" is likely either insipid or outrageously fun! These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful p
ots, alone-- though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

Can we attempt to understand Lisa Tajema's plantings before summarily dismissing them. She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and hordes of wannabees do something blandly
imitative on a budget. If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai publications. Not only Bonsai Kindai Shuppan but Kodansha is publishing these images-- and Kodansha has placed THIS book at the top
of its spring marketing for books of the category (including a reprinting of _Classic Bonsai of Japan_).

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to the planting. IMO, the 4th planting (moving from left-to-right) on Lisa's gallery is intriguing:
http://lisa-t.hp.infoseek.co.jp/gallery1.html

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence, the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsa
i, for me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Chris writes:

These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They
engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful pots, alone--
though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

and snip

She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few
aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and
hordes of wannabees do something blandly imitative on a budget.
If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she
proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to
promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai
publications.

and snip

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to
the planting.

and snip

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have
been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly
circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most
examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter
for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the
trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images
is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence,
the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsai, for
me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop
bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.



Ahhh, "But," Andy asks, "is it art?" (BIG grin!) == Hint to
whoever's nose just got yanked out of joint: I'm pulling your
leg!

I think it's kinda fun. We sometimes (read: MUCH too often) take
ourselves a bit too seriously.

Like all er, art . . . if you don't like it, ignore it. If you
hate it: Don't buy the book.

And, like all parodies (if that's what this is) its mere
existence may be enough to interest some of the younger
generation in the . . . er, REAL THANG!

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Apples and
Oranges: A Demonstration -- Welcome to Hooterville! Population:
2000. Elevation: 3000. Established: 1850. TOTAL = 6850 -- Bob
Lilienfield

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hey Chris,

You're preachin' to the choir, man. ;-) Yes, they're not my "thing," but I think they're pretty cool in and of themselves. Her effort is one toward fun and funky, owing only tacit allegience to "Bonsai." Heck, its fun and it's stylish (in its own way wi
thin the obvious context). I see nothing wrong with it, it's just not my bag. Her's is a syle (as in: lifestyle) thing and my style is just different.

I've long appreciated Lisa's mode of bonsai practice and profession. She's not bad for bonsai, mostly because of "her" and not necessarily because of how she compares to the Suzukis and Miyatas of the world. She's not trying to be something she's not. N
either are her works.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/
zone 8, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Cochrane


Okay, Andy, I'm intrigued.

Your label "bonsai kitsch chick" sticks marketably well to the image! A "kitsch chick" is likely either insipid or outrageously fun! These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful p
ots, alone-- though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

Can we attempt to understand Lisa Tajema's plantings before summarily dismissing them. She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and hordes of wannabees do something blandly
imitative on a budget. If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai publications. Not only Bonsai Kindai Shuppan but Kodansha is publishing these images-- and Kodansha has placed THIS book at the top
of its spring marketing for books of the category (including a reprinting of _Classic Bonsai of Japan_).

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to the planting. IMO, the 4th planting (moving from left-to-right) on Lisa's gallery is intriguing:
http://lisa-t.hp.infoseek.co.jp/gallery1.html

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence, the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsa
i, for me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Chris writes:

These arrangements are not as insipid as mediocre bonsai. They
engage attention based on the imaginative, colorful pots, alone--
though that is questionable as an objective for bonsai imagery.

and snip

She offers an alternative to darkside-- a place where a few
aging men fidget with precious tools on rare plant material and
hordes of wannabees do something blandly imitative on a budget.
If you contemplate creating more serious bonsai than she
proposes, she offers an alternative or an occasional escape.

Some influential publishers are giving the chick a chance to
promote her idea of bonsai and improve their sales of bonsai
publications.

and snip

The "pop bonsai" are eye-catching. They can be engaging due to
the planting.

and snip

A display of "pop bonsai" & an individual kusa planting have
been noted at the prestigous Gafuten:
http://www.shohin-bonsai.net/g27-04.htm.

This "new convention" is instantly recognizable. Is it overly
circumscribed, already? The pot reigns over the planting in most
examples. Perhaps Lisa is today's leading kitsch pot promoter
for bonsai though she has some major competition.

If not taking her pots too seriously (as collectable works), the
trendy and youthful marketing of plants suggesting larger images
is not taste-less. By often relegating the plant to negligence,
the "pop bonsai" focus on pots disturbs the image of bonsai, for
me-- but should it? A stunning mature bonsai in a kick-ass pop
bonsai pot would not serve the display of either, well.



Ahhh, "But," Andy asks, "is it art?" (BIG grin!) == Hint to
whoever's nose just got yanked out of joint: I'm pulling your
leg!

I think it's kinda fun. We sometimes (read: MUCH too often) take
ourselves a bit too seriously.

Like all er, art . . . if you don't like it, ignore it. If you
hate it: Don't buy the book.

And, like all parodies (if that's what this is) its mere
existence may be enough to interest some of the younger
generation in the . . . er, REAL THANG!

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Apples and
Oranges: A Demonstration -- Welcome to Hooterville! Population:
2000. Elevation: 3000. Established: 1850. TOTAL = 6850 -- Bob
Lilienfield

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++