Bonsai art specification

A few years ago, at a time when the specifications of bonsai in China were rapidly developing towards the poles of "super-large", "super-giant" and "super-miniature", Mr. Nai Weng pointed out in time: for bonsai, there should be "a certain degree of discretion" in the specification. "if this is big, it will be planted with trees." if it is small, it cannot show the beauty of the potted tree. Mr. Nai Weng's incisive exposition is full of dialectical philosophy, is a scientific and artistic insight, and is a refreshing agent for an overheated mind.

Now, the bonsai industry pays more and more attention to the specification of bonsai, and the phenomenon of polarization has converged. However, due to differences in understanding, the national unified bonsai specification has not been issued for a long time; many people still favor large and extra-large bonsai trees; in the evaluation of exhibitions, they often regard large trees as excellent, replacing the author's skill level with the natural form of tree stumps; in society, the situation of digging up large trees and destroying mountain forest vegetation is also more serious. Therefore, we must carry on the legacy of our ancestors, in-depth discussion of the theoretical basis of bonsai specifications, and further improve people's understanding level.

On the surface, the specification of bonsai seems to be only a matter of form, but it is actually related to the nature of bonsai. Bonsai is a living playful work of art; it is the "natural" scenery in the bonsai, and it is the "garden" landscape in several cases; "seeing the whole through a small part", "shrinking the dragon into an inch" is the characteristic of its artistic expression; it is easy to cultivate and manage, easy to watch at any time, and easy to move and put is its basic element. All these show that the specifications of bonsai can be neither too large nor too small. The ancients said: the specification of bonsai is about one foot, and it is better for several cases to be bought. This is a very reasonable and correct view. Bonsai is obviously not in line with the nature and characteristics of bonsai, and it is a misunderstanding in the development of bonsai. In order to have a deep understanding of this problem, let us further study and discuss it from the aspects of philosophy, science, aesthetics and art.

First, from a philosophical point of view, things will be reversed if they are extreme. "extra-large", "super-giant" and "super-miniature" bonsai are precisely two extreme phenomena of unlimited development, which will not work. Lenin said: if truth takes another step forward, it will become a fallacy. Confucius advocated that the golden mean, which is impartial and appropriate, is the highest realm.

Second, biologically speaking, "ultra-miniature bonsai" is difficult to cultivate and manage. If the soil is micro, it is lack of nutrition, which is not conducive to the growth of trees; if the basin is small, there is not enough water, and it will dry up as soon as it is exposed to the sun. Most of the fine-leaf tree species are sunny, but they can't do without the sun. If you bury the bonsai in the sand and soak it in the pool all day, it will hinder the viewing.

Third, aesthetically speaking, the "super miniature bonsai" lacks beautiful posture and has little ornamental value. Trees are too small to have pleasing roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits; nor can they show exciting charm; still less can they show the vicissitudes of nature and the extraordinary artistic conception of social life.

Fourth, artistically speaking, "extra-large tree stump bonsai" and "super-giant landscape bonsai" deviate from the essence and functional features of bonsai. Bonsai is a man-made artistic "natural" image, while the big tree in nature is a natural form, and the latter does not belong to the category of art. There is no art to transplant natural trees into special pots to act as bonsai and to represent "big trees" with big trees. Recognizing this kind of bonsai is a misinterpretation of the nature of bonsai; "super-giant landscape bonsai" is also not in line with the nature and characteristics of bonsai "to see the whole through a small part". In fact, it belongs to outdoor rockery and other garden scenery, completely divorced from the category of bonsai.

Finally, talk about the relationship between bonsai and bonsai exhibition and evaluation.

The exhibition and evaluation work is the baton and catalyst to promote the formation of bonsai specifications and style. It must meet the needs of the healthy development of bonsai.

When evaluating bonsai, the specifications of bonsai should be strictly limited, classified and evaluated, and should not be judged on the basis of excellence; emphasis should be placed on evaluating the skill level of the author, and the natural form of tree stump should not be used to replace the skill level of the author.

As a matter of fact, finding the pile with beautiful shape is an opportunity. In the past, not all the winners were skilled. Can see through a small part of the whole is the real ability, high level; can turn inferior into good, mediocre into magical, can be called an artist.