Winning Shohin at Noelanders / EBA 2017

There are awards given at Noelanders Trophy and EBA as it is a tradition. Within the next days (starting sometime next week after a work travel to Berlin), I will comment on some of the entries. That will not be a judging, but a description of selected displays where I hope the words can give something extra to the experience of viewing a shohin display.

It is important to differ between a display set up for a competition exhibition, and a private or a tokonoma display. The exhibition display has to do with presenting the trees for judging best possible. The overall display must be in harmony and each tree be in best possible condition appealing and convincing the viewer.

A private or a tokonoma display is set up for a different viewing experience. It has not the goal of impressing as its main purpose, but still telling a story, often more silently. Here trees might be used that are not of the same character as the ones chosen for an exhibition and to be judged. It can be a tree with a more downplayed expression and a much more melancholic expression. Competitions often forces more colour and a vibrant expression than the tokonoma display. The tokonoma display is oppositely requiring a more silent and peaceful show of nature and the time of year, and in a freer form than the traditional used at exhibitions. It might even be almost vanishing and humble in its expression.

To the shohin winners at Noelanders and EBA 2017. Classic 7 point displays was chosen. Again it is Rita and Mark Cooper who wins (third time in a row) the prestigious first place at Noelanders. Congratulations 🙂

Noelanders nominee goes to Jose Acuna Croz.

The EBA awarded Bruno Wijman for a simple shohin display.