I’ve been doing some research on Nick Lenz and stumbled upon this flickr gallery of his work. Most of it is in the development stages, but his root-over-rock alternative compositions have really gotten extreme. In traditional Japanese bonsai, it’s considered a faulty design choice to incorporate anything that would detract the viewer from seeing only the tree—the perfect replica. In Lenz’s work, he makes a mockery of this ideology.
In his Larix laricina with tank piece (above), for instance, Lenz fuses a perfectly brilliant and serene forest composition with that of a World War II tank model. One of the trees is made to look knocked down from the path the tank is taking through the forest. Could there be anything more realistic?
The influence of postmodern society is felt with Lenz’s more content driven work, as seen on the flikr gallery. At times, it seems he's using representational items, such as a cross (Piss Christ anyone?) or gun, as a way to voice his opinion, or frustration perhaps. When President Bush was elected for a second term, Lenz completely removed his Web site in protest. He has reached the point that he is using his influence as a bonsai aficionado to promote awareness, both societal and bonsai related.
If only he was actively doing workshops (and I actually had the time to attend one). It would be an enlightening experience to spend an afternoon with him.
