Shortly after our last meeting, I envisioned the pedestal during my sleep and called Bob the following morning to attempt to explain. I saw a curving structure, possibly with the stand being made of a trunk or large branch from a tree. I pictured its gentle, natural curves, eventually supporting a top that held the necessary flat surface, but the surrounding edges would be carved to represent the wood’s natural contours.
I was bruntly reminded that Bob’s carving tools were at his workshop in the Blue Ridge Mountains and would not be available for this project.
In Bob’s case, a 3 a.m. wake-up call was his presage. His mind had been so affixed on this project that his sleep was also being affected. His vision was crisp and enlightening that morning and he immediately rushed off to Allen’s workshop—my Aunt Ann questioning his sanity, at the same time trying to determine whether or not he was sleepwalking—not the best state of mind when working with power tools.
Allen, Bob’s brother, lives on Tybee Island and granted Bob reign over his shop during this project. He eventually became involved as a companion wood worker and contributed many valuable ideas during the construction. Somehow Bob managed to sneak by Allen’s dogs that morning without waking the family. It was 8 a.m. before Allen noticed someone was working away in his shop.
The result was a very artistic, natural stand, made of different wood types—mostly comprised of the materials available in Allen’s shop. The pedestal portion was made from a Live Oak trunk found by Bob and Allen a few days prior. The curves on this trunk matched my perceptions to the tee. It was left in its natural state and even featured some shari and jin.
The top of the pedestal was supported by two pieces, which appeared to be left from unwanted furniture—their curves did not quite share the same naturality as the tree trunk. One supported the top width wise and the other stretched the length of the top. An indention was cut into the Live Oak trunk for each piece. I liked their idea of creating an outlining ridge on the borders of the top. This could ultimately stop the tree from falling off the pedestal it was bumped.
The base was made from wood that didn’t take to water well, unfortunately, so albeit extremely supportive and sturdy, the base wood warped in a matter of a few weeks. The stand is still usable, but must be positioned correctly to appear straight. On a later visit, Bob noticed the warping and said it must be due to someone’s “faulty construction.” Since Bob is no longer staying in Tybee and has returned home, I’ve asked a bonsai compatriot of mine, Chad, to see what can be done to recreate the base.
So, the project was completed, or perhaps laid to rest would be a more suitable term in Bob’s mind. Thanks to my Uncle Bob for his dedication and hard work, and to Allen for his contributions. Since he produced one stand, this still left my other trees longing for a suitable display.
The Pedestal Project continues…
Bob’s words as written on April 6 -
“The project is completed—found materials seem to be the essential key in design. Who knows what form this stand might have assumed had I been working at my shop.
When you are skiing, the mountain skis you as much as you ski the mountain, hence, you are never in full control during the creative process. You were largely responsible for this project becoming a good learning experience for me. From our earliest conversations, I began to grasp the relationships (complex!) surrounding bonsai culture, man, environment, and aesthetics—a common thread among them seems to center around evolution. While the bonsai stand we crafted might reflect “completion,” that can’t be said about the other ingredients above. What generation will view the completed life of a Japanese maple or a black pine that may have rooted before we were born?
When I complete a commissioned painting there is always some anxiety associated with the fact that the client may not like it. The same goes with the present project—after all, this was my first shot at such a project! At any rate, for the labor you owe me a bottle of wine.”
