The first mystery. Last time we featured this tree ( a few posts back) I found it on Carlos van der Vaart’s facebook photos (it’s also on his website’s gallery). This time it turned up on Mauro Stemberger’s website as a lead tree on ‘refinishing tips‘. So whose tree is it?
Another mystery
If you compare this latest iteration (above) with the earlier one (below), it’d easy to see how tree has been improved; the large hanging jin was pushed away from the trunk and twisted a little. The mystery here is; how was such a dramatic change accomplished with almost no effect on the rest of the tree. For example, you would expect that a large move of a such key piece, might push the apex up and to the left.
Also, how did the little hooked jin on the end get shorter while retaining its basic shape?
Another question arises out of the first
Attribution. For some reason, attribution seems to have very low value on the web. Are we entering a new era where the object of art is all that matters and artist’s identity is irrelevant? Or?
Hi mate ,
first off all thanks to give interest on my work and my tree.
second I ll explain something
I bought the mugo from Carlos after Noelander trophy.
tree was collected by juray mrcinko sold to Danny Use , Carlos and Me finally :)
I just took out a big tiranti Marco Invernizzi putted on the big trunk ant it returned on the main position , i like it more now.
I think the main change was simply rotating the front clockwise and tipping it a bit up in front.
HI Al,
I don’t see a lot of rotation. If you check out the surface roots on the left and other features at the base of the trunk, you’ll see that if they’ve moved, it’s almost imperceptible.
Aha
Thank Mauro. That helps. Interesting that you and Carlos and Danny all owned the tree and that Marco worked on it.
I’m not sure I understand the part about the big tiranti (pulling?).
Anyway, great tree and I too like it more now.
When I saw this tree at the Noelanders Trophy, I could clearly see some wires holding that big curve closer to the trunk. At the other end the wires were attached to a peg in the soil at the back of the trunk. The peg was neatly camouflaged with moss.
I guess what Mauro tries to say is that he removed the wire (placed by Marco Invernizzi), after which the bended part moved back to his original position.
Anyway, here’s a link to a close-up I made from this much debated part of the tree: http://img846.imageshack.us/i/closeupvdvaart.jpg/ :)
Regards,
Ferry
Wayne,
For what it’s worth, I was the one who asked Mauro to comment on this tree. That’s gotta be worth a free pair of shears or something right? Or am I dreaming? LOL!
Regards,
Ken
Thanks Ferry,
Problem solved!
Thanks Ken,
Good job. And please feel free to share you dreams any time.
-w
As a comment on the mystery of the mugo pine, I would like to think that, even though the Internet is a very different place for conversation and presentation of one’s accomplishments, people still have the decency to properly accredit ownership. Bonsai is an art form that allows enthusiasts to discuss their trees with others, to take instruction and constructive criticisms, and to be proud of their art. Thus I would say that the idea of properly accrediting ownership is critical to the art of bonsai even in the world of the Internet.
Thanks Kit Dennis-Walker,
Agreed. I think if we want to call bonsai and art, then we need to recognize the artist.
Regarding attribution. Sometimes we forget to claim ownership if it is our tree. Sometimes we forget the lineage of who had styled if it is a long list. And then others just get lazy or figure it doesn’t matter whose work they copy. I think here it is forgetfulness since Mauro stepped up and gave a lineage right away. I also like it much better with the live vein and jin away from the trunk.
Thanks Zack,
Yes. Laziness, forgetfulness or ego (we want people to think it’s ours) can all come into play. None of this is the end of the world for me, but I do like to know. Especially because I make it a point to attribute and it’s easy to make mistakes without the right information.
And yes, I like it with the jin away from the trunk too.