Show Display — Jonas Dupuich

SBBK March Meeting

Seasonality influences each show.

Accent plant can (1) show seasonality, (2) offer some contrast — leaves or color, (3) indicate place e.g. landscape.

Space

  • Japan offers a 6ft space, influenced by tatami mats, and space for displaying bonsai.

  • 18”-36” 1 tree and accent in one space

  • Smaller trees can have 5-6 trees (Shohin)

Accent

  • Ideally don’t match accent plant pot color and style with main tree, desire contrast

  • Accent arrangement looks nice to spill over and not just be cute.

  • Deciduous tree in fall/winter that is defoliated, then the accent can contrast with bright color.

  • Accent on the side of the tree being pointed towards.  Imaging cutting the tree at the base, falls to which side.

FYI: Peg Stand used for deciduous trees.

Medium trees 8”-18”

  • Three point display

Shohin display

  • All should contrast in foliage (next to), trunk size, color, pots, etc

  • Start with the main tree 

  • Find the front and direction and place in the 6ft space, to one side

  • Front of the stand. If round or hex, look at the grain of the wood and find the single leg that is perpendicular to the grain.

Two pt display

  • Main tree slightly back, accent slightly in front

  • All stands have different levels of formality.  Avoid having a more formal stand under the subordinate accent.

Direction of flow

  • Apex (upper trunk)

  • Lower trunk

  • Location in the pot (visual cue)

  • First significant branch

  • Lean of the apex or canopy (towards the steep angle)

  • Apex over base—which side?

  • If the main tree has a tightly controlled canopy shape (ramification), then the accent may be less constrained

Notes

  • Zelkovas are like race cars as they grow fast.  If you don’t know what to do with them they will grow out of control.  Need to know how to maintain or prune them and style them.

  • Is it okay to show a tree with wires?

  • Defoliated trees—no.

  • Conifers okay but on branches, not on the trunk.

  • Use of a slab, often a forest planting or bunjin.

  • Nice to use live edge in contrast to the complimentary stand.

Actual size vs Far view vs Near View:

  • Juniper may be as found in nature (Actual or Near View)

  • Forest may be Far View

Michael Wei