Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry

Every pocket of the country has someone passionate about bonsai adapting their practice to the particulars and extremes of the environment. It’s one of the great marvels within the art form, the human ingenuity to create and cultivate bonsai despite the harshness of the weather and location. Jon White carries forward the lineage of pioneers in the Boise region of Idaho who have been doing just that for decades; defying the ruggedness of the landscape in pursuit of tiny trees. Through their tight knit pack, the Boise Bonsai Society has carved out a beautiful oasis of positivity, community, and organic creativity sourced from a local hub of natural beauty and inspiration. Few people think of Boise as a bonsai destination, but Jon’s ambitions with High Desert Bonsai have picked up the mantle of previous practitioners as a gathering spot for enthusiasts working with what they have to push bonsai forward and in an authentic direction. 

Ryan and Jon sat down recently to talk about the challenges of growing bonsai in the high desert and building a community. From humble beginnings and fruitful mentorship to yamadori treks, field growing, and leading the next generation, Jon made it clear his goal is to raise the level and represent the beauty of an unsung corner of the West in the process. Without further ado, Jon White y’all. Enjoy!

You can learn more about Jon and High Desert Bonsai here.

If you’re traveling through and looking for a bonsai fix you can contact the Boise Bonsai Society for their event schedule.

You never know where a cup of coffee and a conversation amongst two friends can go. On a recent Saturday morning, following the final class session of the summer, Ryan Neil and longtime friend and Mirai student Ryan Clumpner sat down for a cup of coffee before R.C. returned home to San Diego. As they sat discussing a recent body of ceramic work R.C. brought to Mirai for feedback, the subject of third nature came up as a recent talking point in the modern art world. Unaware of the term and its meaning, but intrigued by a brief look at its definition, Ryan asked R.C. if the two could do an impromptu podcast on the subject and the obvious waterfall of cerebral thoughts it stimulated. What followed was a short, but intense capture of the type of behind the scenes conversation that consistently take place at Mirai amongst the talented people bringing critical thought and dialogue to the narrative of bonsai in this creative incubator. Most conversations go unrecorded, but Ryan jumped on this one and we thought we would share it with the community. Enjoy!

Life is what you make it. For Craig and Kendra Pearce moving into the wilds of Bone Island off the coast of British Columbia was a gesture of intention to change the way they interact with the natural world and to slow down from the frantic pace of urban living. The daily reminders of the world around them and the necessity to interface with nature enhanced the way Craig and Kendra lived. Over time, their desire to create slower, analogue rituals that offered moments of pause and reflection gave way to Goodland, a company focused on building beautiful, lasting accoutrements that shared their quality of life with others.  

Mirai has been a fan of Goodland and what Craig and Kendra have been doing for several years. In this episode of Asymmetry, Ryan sits down with Craig to discuss the origins of Goodland, how the company started and has grown, and where they are headed in their journey towards a sustainable future while preserving their slower lifestyle. What followed was a beautiful discussion of merging modern life with the natural world and the good life that dance can create. 

Take a look at how Mirai and Goodland have combined forces to offer a slice of the good life to Mirai’s community here. Enjoy ‘yall!

The garden team’s time playing with rocks has officially come to an end. Brandon, Brock, and Ryan sit down in the studio to discuss the finale of the garden build extravaganza that, like many other projects at Mirai, became something much bigger than a simple landscaping project. From boulders and trees to the discovery of cutting-edge bonsai stock, and a lot of meandering discussions about life and the implications of living vicariously through bonsai, this episode is sure to keep you on your toes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a peak behind the scenes of one of the most actively evolving gardens in bonsai.

Ryan recently sat down with apprentice Brock Arvesen to reflect on the unanticipated chaos that has followed Mirai's post-repotting garden build. There’s a therapy and acceptance of reality that comes with ambitious undertakings at Mirai and no better place to work through the frustrations of operating a bonsai nursery while chasing artistic ambitions, than with the people who are in the trenches together. Equal parts honesty and humor, the two share a laugh about the expectations we set for ourselves, the imperfection that comes with best laid plans, and the art of accepting what we can't control. Tune in for some lighthearted banter and a reminder that even the best intentions have a way of keeping us humble.