When you go to the pub you wear jeans and a sweatshirt and to a gala
event you wear a suit and tie. It's that simple,'nough said.
My 2 cents
Richard Marcus

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Craig Cowing
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 11:25 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Mica Pots

Andy Rutledge wrote:

Hi Mark,

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Hill"
Hi all...
Here's a question to prolong this thread ..... Why are mica pots not
preferred show containers?
snip
Is it simply because ceramic pots cost much more, therefore they
must be
better ?
Sounds a bit snooty to me !!
Mark Hill
-------------------------------

I'll bite. Yes, it's snooty - for the same reason that diamonds are
coveted
over cubic zirconia, though from most views, the CZ looks beautiful
and
dazzling. The reason is twofold (at least):

1) This is an art. The art of bonsai display is one that touts
quality and,
in many cases, is concerned with ties to the artistry of long ago
(antique
chinese pots for high quality bonsai in an exhibit) or of today (great
modern potters). Also, the subtle aesthetic quality that an excellent
bonsai pot can convey as part of a bonsai display is prized for
obvious
reasons.

This is scary. Andy and I actually *somewhat* agree. I like mica pots
for the
reasons already mentioned. I use them here at home, and at this point I
feel that
they are appropriate for trees in training, really large trees in
general that are
going to be overly heavy in a ceramic pot, and for local and club
exhibitions. I
don't know exactly where I'd draw the line in terms of acceptability,
though.
Major exhibits, perhaps, although I saw several trees in mica pots at
the
exposition last October at the North Carolina State Arboretum and they
looked
really good--they obviously had been oiled.


2) We're human. When dealing with artistry - an admittedly snooty
endeavor
(and define "snooty" at your peril) - the specific quality of the
elements
involved has an impact on the viewer (from small to enormous) AND the
exhibitor. Humans generally enjoy exhibiting and viewing rare quality
and
great craftsmanship more than we enjoy exhibiting and viewing
"plastic"
make-do elements. Often, what we know about an objet d'art impacts
our
enjoyment.

So sure, recognize that bonsai artistry has snooty elements.

"Snooty" really isn't the best term here. "Particular," perhaps. When
I have a
large tree that I feel is worth showing, I will probably look around for
a ceramic
pot. I realize that my bigger trees are going to take a number of
years to really
be presentable. When they are presentable, I want to have them look
their best.
To wait on the larger ceramic pots a few years also helps me to be
patient with a
larger tree, and not rush it in it's training. I have been doing
bonsai long
enough (5 years) so that I'm beginning to get a sense of the longer-term
aspect of
the art--not rushing a tree, but working on it steadily and watching it
progress
through several seasons. And in terms of display, Andy's right.
Whether the pot
is glazed or unglazed, a ceramic pot, especially a well-made one, is
generally
better looking than a mica pot.

snip

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

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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