Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry

On a recent cold rainy morning prior to the start of the 100th Kokufu exhibition fellow bonsai professional Andrew Robson joined us to discuss the potential for expansion of display opportunities at the next Pacific Bonsai Expo. This show has rapidly risen as the premier exhibition of bonsai in North America, and the efforts of Eric Shrader, Jonas Dupuich, and Andrew Robson to create a destination to display bonsai at the highest level, opening the door to ideas that might allow people to think outside the box and do something special. Without any context for the discussion, Andrew and Ryan sat down to discuss the possibilities of what an artistic display could look like, how spaces could be created for contextual display, and ideas both professionals might have to transform a space into something that could conjure creativity. It was exciting to say the least. 

Beyond bonsai, Andrew and Ryan discovered their shared love of the art of suiseki and discussed Andrew’s stones that were presented in the recent Kokufu exhibition. It was a nice way to celebrate such a milestone of bonsai on a global level and to open the door for future discussions around stones and an art form that is under-appreciated, yet so powerful in its ability to transport practitioners. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy!

You can find Andrew’s work here. 

Explore the Pacific Bonsai Expo for upcoming dates as well!

It might be an American thing to try and define how culture impacts bonsai, or it might just be a reality of this very deep artform we all love. Aarin Packard, curator of the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, Washington, joins Ryan to discuss the subject and interviews Ryan about his thoughts for an exhibition the Pacific Bonsai Museum is working on in conjunction with this year’s World Cup. Aarin selected seasoned and respected bonsai personalities from around the globe to see just how present culture is in bonsai. His insights and shared tidbits are a tasty appetizer for what he’s got brewing later this year. We are excited to see what Aarin and his team discover, and honored to be involved. 

Take a look at some of the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s past exhibitions. 

Find out how you can contribute and take part.

From slangin’ exotic plants out of the back of a Lexus to architecting a budding plant-centered design movement taking southern California by storm, the Plant Daddies are a breath of fresh air and inspiration. Leaning on their long-standing friendship and dedication to bringing people happiness through the compositions they create, the trio has rapidly risen in the design world of Southern California and beyond. Dane, Macy, and Kenny bring intense passion for both the plants they cultivate and the projects they serve as they pursue their dreams with impeccable taste and fearless commitment. Their boundary pushing aesthetic and defiance of the dogmatic norm have created a vision and aesthetic in the world of arborescent succulents and interiorscapes garnering the attention of leading designers and architects in the sphere of the modern aesthetic. 

It was a pleasure getting to sit down with the master minds of a growing empire and discuss the nuts and bolts of their endeavor. From getting Plant Daddies off the ground to expanding the walls of what’s possible in their field, we enjoyed the conversation and are excited to see what the future has to offer this trio of creatives. See their work at theplantdaddies.com or follow them on Instagram to be a part of their journey. Enjoy!

What happens when trees are confronted with rapidly changing conditions in their environment? Do some trees suffer? Do others thrive? What causes this to occur, and can we use this information to create a more sustainable future for our forests and the trees we love? 

These, and other questions, are at the root of Meghan Midgley’s research her and a select group of colleagues are doing at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. Meghan walks Ryan through her recent research on Nitrogen adaptability and some of the longer standing issues with salinization, and tree tolerances under urban pressures. It’s a fascinating conversation that gave us hope and optimism that solutions do exist, and trees can and will survive. But they made need our help.

If you want to learn more about the Morton Arboretum and the work Meghan is doing, take a look here. 

To make a donation and help be a part of the solution here’s a link to get started. 

Enjoy the listen yall!

Irene Taylor is an award-winning documentary film director known for her intense pursuit of human stories that often push her films and their viewers to the edge of beauty and emotion. Irene’s film Leave No Trace broke open the landmark Oregon court ruling which availed the Boy Scouts’ Perversion Files to victims of abuse creating accountability for decades of misconduct. The film earned the Dupont Award, journalisms’ highest level of achievement. Last year Vermilion Films, Irene’s production company received wide acclaim for I am Celine, which followed global icon Celine Dion’s battle with Stiff Persons Syndrome. I am Celine is the most viewed global documentary in streaming history. Irene’s prolific body of work has garnered Emmy Awards, Academy Nominations, a Peabody Award, and countless others.  

Irene’s artistry and uncompromising commitment to intimacy and authenticity have stunned audiences since her first film Hear and Now, where she follows her deaf parents through their journey without hearing and their desire to understand the world of sound through cochlear implants. This film won the Sundance Audience Award and set the tone for Irene’s prolific body of work that followed. 

Throughout the conversation Irene sheds light on her creative process and the stories that have led to the compelling films she has made. With the hope of gleaning some insight and inspiration from one of the most prolific and powerful film directors in the documentary sphere Ryan was all ears. We are really proud to invite you to sit back and enjoy a journey into the mind of a genius as we present Irene Taylor. Enjoy!

 

Irene Taylor filmography:

2007: Here and Now 

2009: The Final Inch

2011: Saving Pelican 895

2014: One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp

2015: Open Your Eyes

2016: Beware the Slenderman

2017: The Life Story

2018: Between Sound and Silence

2018: The Listening Project

2018: Homeless: The Soundtrack

2019: Moonlight Sonata

2022: Leave no Trace

2023: Trees and Other Entanglements 

2024: I am: Celine Dion