Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry

In this episode of Asymmetry, peek behind the scenes of Bonsai Mirai and meet the team of creative, tireless, and passionate people helping every day behind the curtains. Get to know the voices from the office, some old and some new, as we enjoy each other’s company with a happy hour before a Super Tuesday livestream. We cover media, arts, and our origins sitting in the far corners of the Mirai office as the fall sun dips behind the tree line.

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is remotely joined by Mexican bonsai practitioner Asis Inzunza to have a conversation about the origins of bonsai in Mexico and the cultural influences of Central America on their bonsai aesthetic canon. Delve in as we explore the way in which bonsai practice is nuanced based on the culture wherein it is practiced, and the insight of Asis's personal bonsai discovery journey.

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is joined by the talented and multi-faceted bonsai professional and sculptural artist David Cutchin from Florida. His 3D framework constructed out of the remnants of ancient trees echoes the depth and stories of each piece of deadwood combined into the composition. Join the verbal journey Cutchin leads us on through his past and perspective, and keep an eye out for his astonishing work that will be in our webstore soon.  

In this episode of Asymmetry, we are rejoined remotely by Andrew Robson, the bonsai professional behind Rakuyo Bonsai, to follow up on a discussion about fruiting and flowering bonsai species. This episode not only touches on deciduous species but also the impact of the devastating Oregon wildfires and our close community members at Telperion Farms who were deeply affected. 

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is remotely joined by Derek Delisi, a bonsai practitioner from Montreal, Quebec to discuss philosophy and how it pertains to bonsai. Tune in to this esoteric conversation that highlights the concept of enactivism and other unique philosophical perspectives.   

In this episode of Asymmetry, the completion of the LAB project is celebrated over cheerful banter and beers amongst artists Ron Lang, Austin Heitzman, and Ryan Neil with curator Aaron Packard. The Living Art of Bonsai project, also known as the LAB project, is hosted by the Pacific Bonsai Museum. It is a first-of-its-kind of program, based on an artist-in-residency model, providing bonsai artists the opportunity to create works of art outside the limitations of the marketplace. For more information on Pacific Bonsai Museum's LAB Project, check out http://pacificbonsaimuseum.org/lab/ 

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is joined remotely by aquaculture expert Gareth Barber in New South Wales, Australia for a comprehensive discussion on soil science from a new perspective. Expand your understanding with a digestible vernacular that digs into the science within the bonsai pot.  

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan sits down with Troy Cardoza and Todd Schlafer, a Colorado bonsai professional, to catch up on their lives and all things bonsai. They examine the increased ability to observe and respond to their tree's needs during these homebound times to offer insight on adjustments in care.

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is rejoined by soil scientist Ian Hunter to discuss the findings from the soil science experiment hosted at Mirai. They discuss their opposing perspectives about soil biology in the bonsai container and round out the conversations started about soil biology and mineral balancing.Ian Hunter of Curesoil Consulting - www.curesoil.com  

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil delves into the subject of women in bonsai with guests Shelly Svoboda, a talented local Oregonian practitioner, and Eve Sczechowski, Bonsai Mirai’s project manager. Join us as we inquire into the discussion of gender disparity within the community that practices bonsai, the origins of Shelly’s bonsai journey, and a breakdown of stigma surrounding the term “female bonsai professional.”

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan Neil is joined by Sergio Cuan, an inspiring North American bonsai professional who is known around the world for his beautifully designed deciduous bonsai. Join the discussion about Sergio's personal journey with bonsai, his evolution and thought process, and how he is expanding his design concepts from deciduous to coniferous species to create stunning bonsai specimens.  

On this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan is joined by David De Groot, a bonsai practitioner from Washington whose work has come to the forefront of North American bonsai with the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection and his unique pieces shared via social media.  Discover the nuances that De Groot has used to blend Bonsai and Penjing aesthetics, his curation of the Pacific Bonsai Museum, and how his work influenced Ryan's own practices years ago.  

Austin Heitzman, friend and frequent Mirai collaborator, is an enormously talented woodworker pushing the boundaries of bonsai display. In this episode, Ryan and Austin discuss Austin's innovative new projects, how these unprecedented pandemic times have evolved and changed their art and businesses, and how the stand's role in bonsai display has shifted over time.For more of Austin's work, visit www.austinheitzmanfurniture.com.

Meet Brad Cloepfil: architect and founder of Allied Works, inspiration and mentor to Ryan, incredible artist and innovator. In this episode, Ryan and Brad discuss their perceptions of the future and how it differs in their respective fields, the impact of the current pandemic on their teams and workspaces, and the intricate facets within the art forms they've chosen to build their lives around. For more of Brad Cloepfil's work, see www.alliedworks.com.

In perhaps our most socially-distanced podcast ever, UK-based bonsai professional Peter Warren (Saruyama Bonsai) joins Ryan virtually for a discussion of their respective times spent in Japan, their current work and inspirations, and how they're spending this time of quarantine. They explore the online future of bonsai, how isolation has changed their bonsai practice, and just reconnect as two friends on either side of the pond.For more of Peter Warren's work, check out his videos on azaleas and Japanese maples in the Mirai Live library, and visit https://saruyama.co.uk.

In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan chats with fellow Oregon-based bonsai professional Michael Hagedorn of Crataegus Bonsai. They trade apprenticeship stories, talk about their gardens, work, and inspirations, and discuss Michael's new book Bonsai Heresy, available now through Stone Lantern Publishing.Find Michael Hagedorn at https://crataegus.com and find Bonsai Heresy at https://stonelantern.com/products/bonsai-heresy.

In this episode, Asymmetry is back in the United States. Dive into the fascinating life and work of Mirai student Bob Muller, and bonsai's evolution in the eastern United States. Bob–a talented musician in addition to his bonsai practice–and Ryan discuss bonsai basics, techniques, and methodologies, the allure of continuing to improve old trees, and life in general. Hosted by Ryan NeilRecorded by Michael Lime Allen

This is it. The big one. The episode we've been eagerly waiting to share with you. In our final episode from Belgium's Trophy 2020, Ryan sits for an interview with a titan of European bonsai: Teunis Jan Klein. The group explores Teunis' innovative deciduous approach, his inspirations, and the evolution of bonsai in the European Low Countries. Hosted by Ryan NeilRecorded by Michael Lime Allen 

In another episode from our travels at Belgium's Trophy 2020–and one where Ryan takes the lead–explore the approach, creativity, and thought process of the duo of Marija Hadjic and Sergio Luciani. These two have created an incredible dynamic of collaboration in their creative and contemplative bonsai presentations; this is a deep conversation about how bonsai is pursued as an art form, and the continued evolution of the European scene. Hosted by Ryan NeilRecorded by Michael Lime Allen

Dive back into the Trophy 2020 in Belgium, but this time, into the world of ceramics: explore the work of Thor Holvila of Sweden. Lime, Troy, and Czech ceramicist Tom Benda converse with Thor about his inspirations, the unique style of his work, and his journey to creating bonsai ceramics. Thor originally apprenticed with a pioneer of raku glazes in Sweden, but in 2008 became interested in bonsai and began making the pots he wanted to see for his trees.Hosted by Michael Lime Allen and Troy CardozaRecorded by Michael Lime Allen https://www.holvilabonsaipot.com/