We don’t have any photos yet from the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, so we’ll harken back to the very first Exhibition (way back in 2008) and show you Jim Gremel’s magnificent cascading Sargent’s juniper that just happened to be the first grand prize (National Award Masterpiece) winner, in what is now becoming a long chain of U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition winners.
I got back late last night from the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester (I left early due to previous commitment). No one except a designated professional is photographing the trees on display, so nothing to show yet. We’ll have to settle for me using my words.
The show was phenomenal (is phenomenal – it’s not over yet). The quality of the trees almost floored me (it’s not easy walking through row after row of mind bending bonsai while holding on to your socks). If I had to compare this year’s show with 2012, I’d say the overall quality is 50% better, though comparisons are odious (remember?) and quantifying bonsai is impossible anyway.
Three more quick comments and then you can get on with the rest of your life:
First: The venue is very good. Spacious and open. A marked improvement over the last one, which wasn’t bad. And then there’s the excellent job Bill and his great gang of bonsai bodhisattvas did making the cavernous space into a first rate bonsai show.
Second: I was struck by how innovative many of the trees and displays were (are). Plenty of bonsai tradition expressed for sure, but equal amounts of innovation. Some natural movement towards more American trees and landscapes and some daring breaks with tradition. You’ll see when we get some photos (though remember, photos, no matter how good, never ever capture the true power and beauty of masterpiece bonsai).
Third: I made a point of talking with random people as we milled our way through the aisles and was also struck by how friendly and engaged everyone was. Many people were aficionados, but others had very little previous exposure to bonsai. No matter. It seemed to me that everyone was energized by the experience and willing to share their enthusiasm and delight.
I know it’s getting late. But if you happen to be near Rochester NY, and are interested in bonsai enough to be reading this and you haven’t bothered to go yet, well it’s not too late. Lacking that, we’ll see you in 2016!