chris cox on sat 3 nov 01
>
> The National Bonsai Federation is sponsoring this competition in part to
>help stimulate potters to produce high quality, creative American bonsai pots
>(which is not as easy to do as one might think). I'm sure the registration fee
>goes to support the (non-profit) organization and potters will get lots of name
>recognition (read business) by displaying and creating bonsai pots. Since
>bonsai is not a widespread hobby, the people that do grow trees have a deep
>appreciation for pots and the intricacies of making pots so the money invested
>in registering might be a good investment in advertising if nothing else. I'd
>encourage anyone interested to check it out and give it a try after talking to
>some folks that grow bonsai and maybe visiting a few sites on the net to get
>some ideas about proportions and specifics of bonsai pot design. It's an art
>unto itself.
>
>Paul Ringo, Lake Charles, La
>
Wow - an excellent fund raiser [ and a golden opportunity ? ].
Entry fee - $75
Slides - $? [ non returnable ]
Postage and insurance, [two ways or the organisers keep them ] $?
The winning pieces are kept by the organisers who are in effect buying
the best six pots for £3500. Two of the winners will receive $250 each
minus the above costs in return for their work.
The ones who reach the second round will have their work on display for
a time at the bonsai centre [ not sure how many ]. They are in fact
paying the above costs to have their work in a non selling exhibition.
But they do get the chance to then sell it from home for more than the
value of the third prize.
The ones who don't make it to the second round only have to pay the
entry fee and for the non returnable slides but then no one but the
judges get to see their work.
As a full time potter I could work on the project in my spare time [
what spare time ? ]. Or take a few days out of production with the loss
of income that would entail. Now what shall I do. mmmmmm !
I have no objection to fund raising I just think it a pity that some
young potters might not see this "competition" for what it really is.
Geoff - in the Lake District, England, whatching the lakes fill up by
the minute.
--
chris & geoff cox
http://www.potfest.co.uk
Cindy Strnad on sat 3 nov 01
>> The National Bonsai Federation is sponsoring
this competition in part to help stimulate potters
to produce high quality, creative American bonsai
pots (which is not as easy to do as one might
think).<<
No doubt it is not an easy thing to do. However,
this competition's terms aren't likely to
stimulate much besides ill will among American
potters.
>> I'm sure the registration fee goes to support
the (non-profit) organization and potters will get
lots of name recognition (read business) by
displaying and creating bonsai pots. Since bonsai
is not a widespread hobby, the people that do grow
trees have a deep appreciation for pots and the
intricacies of making pots so the money invested
in registering might be a good investment in
advertising if nothing else.<<
Yes--I know about this. I get asked to support the
local theatre group by creating a custom
centerpiece for their banquet. I cannot afford to
attend a play but once in a blue moon, though I am
assured it is worth the money. I'm asked to make
something special for the elk foundation, so the
people who don't wince at the idea of shelling out
$60/ticket can buy my best work for cheap. I make
goblets with ducks on them, mugs with turkeys on
them (hunting is big around here)--well, you name
it. These groups' spokespeople are always friends
and so I always say yes, however no one has ever
invited me to attend the banquet as a thank you
for my contribution. But no matter. I get "lots of
name recognition" and "free advertisement (read
*business*)" and I get to display my business
cards along with the work! So has any of this
*business* ever materialized? You are very funny,
to ask such a thing.
I almost used a quote from clay art on the last
person who called: "I'd get more recognition if I
streaked down main street". But she was a very
nice lady, I'm fond of her, and she did have the
good grace to at least sound embarrassed to ask.
Why did the bonsai foundation decide that potters
should support their group? Why do they think
potters are desperate for an entree into a small
and elite group of people with highly demanding
requirements? I would think that such an entree
would open naturally to any potter able and
willing to meet said requirements. There can't be
many of us. I know the precision and rigidity of
such requirements does not appeal to me in the
least. I would not enter that competition if they
begged and paid me, so why should I kill myself
and also pay for the privilege?
>>I'd encourage anyone interested to check it out
and give it a try after talking to some folks that
grow bonsai and maybe visiting a few sites on the
net to get some ideas about proportions and
specifics of bonsai pot design. It's an art unto
itself.<<
And *I'd* encourage anyone interested to make some
Bonsai pots and enter them in the ultimate
competition: In other words, see if you can sell
them for what they're worth, considering the time
and effort you've put into them. If, after
learning more about the people, the process, and
the art, you deem the bonsai foundation a worthy
charity, then donate your money, time, and
expertise if you wish.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
scott lykens on mon 5 nov 01
>Perhaps this organization has done a little market research, perhaps they
>are looking for not just a type of pot, but a type of potter. And if it
>seems the criteria for the competition is too uncomfortable to bend into,
>perhaps its not a competition for anybody and everybody, but rather a
>showcase for folks who already work in this medium of bonsai planter and
>really would benefit in a big way from the exposure.
Sort of " A CALL TO ALL PROFESSIONAL BONSAI PLANTER ARTISTS" not expecting
that this would be something just anyone with a potters studio would be
interested in applying for.
Much like this years NCECA Invitational was not for anybody and everybody,
but rather for individuals already dealling with specific themes in there
work. There was no time to change gears, and prospectus was advertized in a
way that made it unfortable to apply for the exhibition unless you already
were deeply involved in a specific genre of activity. Perhaps the national
bonsai federation is having an agenda of similar proportion in that what
they really want is to seek out the studio artist whos voice is already
toned in bonsai pots, Already the primary media of choice. Match up if you
will this countries most prestigous bonsai plants with the most prestigous
bonsai planters and likewise the makers of both, as opposed to providing an
avenue for changing gears in to planters in a short term way.
Over all it sounds like a highly professional endevour with an entry fee
designed to turn away large #'s of applicant so as to review a small # of
folks who just cant imagine not entering this kind of show.
Something like 70-100 applicants total instead of 1000, making hte prize $$
quite on target with the kind of $$ left over when its done.
Sort of making the nationally advertised show into a small community effort
when its all over. Big event, big $$$ small crowd sort of thing.
This is just my interpertation of how this prospectus might be interprited.
So if anybody has a reason to believe otherwise, please feel entitled to a
different opinion. This is just one i hadnt seen mentioned a whole lot.
cheers
sct
> > The National Bonsai Federation is sponsoring this competition in part
>to
> >help stimulate potters to produce high quality, creative American bonsai
>pots
> >(which is not as easy to do as one might think). I'm sure the
>registration fee
> >goes to support the (non-profit) organization and potters will get lots
>of name
> >recognition (read business) by displaying and creating bonsai pots.
>Since
> >bonsai is not a widespread hobby, the people that do grow trees have a
>deep
> >appreciation for pots and the intricacies of making pots so the money
>invested
> >in registering might be a good investment in advertising if nothing else.
> I'd
> >encourage anyone interested to check it out and give it a try after
>talking to
> >some folks that grow bonsai and maybe visiting a few sites on the net to
>get
> >some ideas about proportions and specifics of bonsai pot design. It's an
>art
> >unto itself.
> >
> >Paul Ringo, Lake Charles, La
> >
>Wow - an excellent fund raiser [ and a golden opportunity ? ].
>
>Entry fee - $75
>Slides - $? [ non returnable ]
>Postage and insurance, [two ways or the organisers keep them ] $?
>
>The winning pieces are kept by the organisers who are in effect buying
>the best six pots for £3500. Two of the winners will receive $250 each
>minus the above costs in return for their work.
>
>The ones who reach the second round will have their work on display for
>a time at the bonsai centre [ not sure how many ]. They are in fact
>paying the above costs to have their work in a non selling exhibition.
>But they do get the chance to then sell it from home for more than the
>value of the third prize.
>
>The ones who don't make it to the second round only have to pay the
>entry fee and for the non returnable slides but then no one but the
>judges get to see their work.
>
>As a full time potter I could work on the project in my spare time [
>what spare time ? ]. Or take a few days out of production with the loss
>of income that would entail. Now what shall I do. mmmmmm !
>
>
>I have no objection to fund raising I just think it a pity that some
>young potters might not see this "competition" for what it really is.
>
>Geoff - in the Lake District, England, whatching the lakes fill up by
>the minute.
>--
>chris & geoff cox
>http://www.potfest.co.uk
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
| |
|
