We'll start with a confession. I've never been to the North Carolina Arboretum. Even though I've had more than one open invitation by the good people down there to visit. One of these days…
Meanwhile, maybe you can go in my stead. As encouragement, there's what promises to be a phenomenal event coming up. It's Bonsai As Fine Art and if you aren't convinced scroll down for some incentives (hint Bjorn will be there along with Arthur Joura and some other notable bonsai pros).
Saikei style planting at The Arboretum. I imagine Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura had something to do with it.
For links to this event and the Arboretum, click on the flier above, or scroll down to the bottom of this post.
Azalea at the Arboretum. Even with a magnifying glass I can’t make out the fine print. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
About bonsai as art: “Bonsai are living sculptures, each artistically trained in a container by the skilled hands of one or more artists over many, and sometimes hundreds, of years,” said Blue Ridge Bonsai Society Board of Directors member Felix Laughlin. “A bonsai is like any creative art defined as ‘fine art,’ like a painting or a stone sculpture, appreciated for its aesthetic content and emotional appeal. In short, a bonsai is “fine art” with the magical power to reconnect our consciousness to the beauty and majesty of our natural world.”
This lush Japanese maple with the perfect spaces for the birds to fly through is from Eisei-en, Bjorn Bjorholm’s nursery. Bjorn will be offering a demo at the event called “Transforming Plant Material into Fine Art” on Saturday June 10, and in addition there will be video presentations by both Bjorn and Arboretum Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura.
Here’s another rather famous tree that belongs to Bjorn Bjorholm who will no doubt be a key attraction at the event, along with some of his trees on display. If you haven't seen Bjorn in action, this is your chance.
For more information, you can find The North Carolina Arboretum on Facebook, and the Bonsai as Fine Art page on their website.
