The Art of Bonsai Project

Thanks Mark, now we are getting substance from you, and you obviously have much substance to draw from. In a sense you are doing what you think to accuse some of the rest of us of doing; willy-nilly going off the reservation with only an escape from traditionalism being the fundamental and driving force in what we do. In a word, iconoclasm, pure and simple,--- and mindless. The fault in both camps is that of making a judgement from the viewpoint of some prejudice, real or perceived, based on a philosophy that is more of a religion than a concept or idea.
To a degree your objections come from the assumption that no one is thinking through what is being done, just simply doing what should not be done with the sole justification that it is different. Nothing could be farther from the truth but I get the impression that you are not even willing to accept the possibility that there may be a different way that produces equally beautiful results. Just remember that the rules of art are formed by art not the other way around.

Maybe we can distill some principles from this discussion. I'll submit this one for comment and critique.
Your bonsai design should have character, but not be a caricature of a tree.
Mike

I will agree that bonsai is art. But these rules of form, and of art and delving into the feelings and the soul are very deep thoughts. I believe every one is missing a very important point. Bonsai is about the tree. It is nature. The rules of the forms are rules of nature. That is how trees grow. Yes there are abstract shapes usually trees distorted some how by nature. There are also trees of simple form like an ancient broom style hornbeam with character, soul, and beauty or is it ugly. If the image created by the artist is logical with nature then it works for me. That may be why the ?sumo? style of Taiwan is far from my favorite. I do not feel the logic, impressed by the technique though.
Bonsai is about nature, creating images of nature or that represent nature. If a tree has soul or character it is often a feature that reflects great age such as bark or nebari or maybe ramification. The good artists will show off a trees best feature its soul.
Chuck