The winner (captured by my cellphone camera amidst the push and pull of ten thousand museum visitors). It's a Rocky mountain juniper that belongs to Randy Knight.
Up early to catch a plane and still reeling from the wonderful and well organized chaos and delights of the Cup. The people, the venue, Portland, old friends. And of course the truly amazing bonsai.
I’ll apologize up front for any mistakes in attribution and failures to link. I haven’t had time to begin to sort through the hundreds of photos of trees people and places, but we have start somewhere and that somewhere will be the winners.
There were only four prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and best companion. I won’t go into the difficulty (absurdity?) of picking winners when every tree in the show was a winner, but nevertheless… (editorial below).
All the photos shown here were taken by my cellphone camera.
Second place. A Sierra juniper that belongs to Tim Priest (it seems fitting that a priest would win during the Pope's visit).
Third place. Another Rocky mountain juniper. It belongs to Amy Blanton.
The winning companion. Like the winning tree, it belongs to Randy Knight.
First place tree up close.
Editorial: One reason we bother to judge and award prizes is because we humans seem to like to have winners (and by extension, losers).
There is some value to judging; having to do with detailed explorations and explanations of the strengths and weaknesses of any bonsai. This can be a learning experience for anyone involved (particularly the judges). Beyond that tradition seems to demand that we do it.
Conversely and in most cases at least (and this one for sure) there is no such thing as a best tree (and second best and so forth). There are simply too many outstanding bonsai and the range of styles, species, sizes, detail, ages, pots, everything makes this an impossible endeavor.
One thing that did strike me (and others) is the winner is certainly one of the most powerful trees in its sheer size and ability to command attention (if you had to pick a winner, it would be hard to ignore). It is also a very good bonsai in other regards. To a lesser extent, sheer size and power is true of the second place tree and of course, it and the third place tree are also outstanding bonsai in other regards.
Another reason prizes are open to question is that we often don’t know who styled a winning tree. We simply know who owns it.
Anyway, the Artisans Cup was phenomenal. I and others will be talking about it for years. Hats off to Ryan and Chelsea Neil and all the rest of the people whose hard work and devotion made this wonderful event possible.
And now a word from our sponsor…
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this Sale will end as soon as I get home and sort things out
Beautiful pics, Wayne, even if taken hastily with a cellphone. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you’re giving this exhibit attention and touching on the awards:
“Another reason prizes are open to question is that we often don’t know who styled a winning tree. We simply know who owns it.”
I look forward to the day when we ignore irrelevant factors in awards placement, such as ownership or who styled it. These awards are for the trees/displays and not the people. The owner does not place, the artist does not place; rather the tree and its display is chosen for award placement. While this may not eliminate all reasons prizes are “open to question,” it does remove the irrelevant factors that too many dwell upon exclusively.
Great point Andy,
We can always count on you for thoughtful observations.