Page 61 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q4

The variety and aesthetic appeal of the displayed
stones is a strength of this book and deserves fur-
ther comment. Some stones reflect North American
themes. The Sitting Bison (Figure 4) depicts a theme
of importance especially to the Native Americans of
the Great Plains. Arch at Rattlesnake Canyon (Figure
5) represents a North American location—Rattlesnake
Canyon in Colorado—that contains nine arches. It is
located within the area known as the Black Ridge Can-
yons. The stone is displayed in a distinctively modern-
ist, minimalist fashion that in no way competes with the
ruggedness of the stone. Other stones represent Asian
themes. A Thousand Cranes (Figure 6) presents a dis-
tinctively Asian theme. The title has double significance
as it may refer to the fabled displays of one thousand
origami cranes. It also is the title of a novel by Yasunari
Kawabata that contributed to his receiving the Nobel
Prize for literature. Field of Peonies (Figure 7) is a river
stone from the Colorado River yet it bears a striking
resemblance to Asian Chrysanthemum stones so aptly
chronicled in Tom and Hiromi’s earlier book. between stone and display that elevates the combina- Figure 5; Arch at Rattlesnake
There is quite a striking form of synergy found in tion to high art. The whole is indeed greater than the Canyon
the book. It is a form of synergy that Richard Turner sum of its parts. I find the same harmony and synergy South Park, Colorado
points toward in his essay that elevates the harmony in the Arch at Rattlesnake Canyon (Figure 5). There is a Larry Jackel Collection
5.5 x 8 x 3.5 inches (14 x 20 x
between a viewing stone and its display to the level unity between the stone and its modernist display that, 9 cm)
of compelling art. It is a form of synergy that is much at one and the same time, creates artistic depth and
more than simply additive. Consider the copper ore marks the combination as distinctively North Ameri-
stone and its cast bronze display depicted in Figure 2. can. The good news is that the jury, which, with Tom,
The powerful artistic impact that Rick Stiles has cre- chose the stones for Viewing Stones of North America
ated derives both from the stone and from its display have created a treasure trove of viewing stones at their
to be sure; however, it is the harmony, the synergy most artful.

Figure 6; A Thousand Cranes, Northern California. Peter Bloomer Collection. Figure 7; Field of Peonies, Colorado River, Colorado. Paul Gilbert Collection.
8 x 6.5 x 4 inches (20.3 x 16.5 x 10.2 cm) 12 x 12 x 5 inches (30 x 30 x 13 cm)
October/November/December 2014 | BCI | 59