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We have received from Jesús Quintas A.I.A.S. member...

We have received from Mr. Jesús Quintas A.I.A.S. member all pictures of the stones E.S.A. participating in the exhibition at XXV European Bonsai & Suiseki Convention.

We publish them with pleasure, accompanied by the name of the owner, the poetic name of the stone and place of origin.  

During the event, the vice-chairman A.I.A.S. Mr. Marino Nikpal gave to Mrs. Maria Rosa Bonet the A.I.A.S. Award Recognition for Suiseki "Near Stone Mountain", stone that has earned the first prize of E.S.A. Exibition.

  

Lorca (Spain), 6/8 March 2009 

XXV EUROPEAN BONSAI & SUISEKI CONVENTION
by Mr. Jesús Quintas 

Suiseki Exhibition  

Suiseki (or viewing stones, up to you) were exhibited in a separate room with about 65 linear meters, divided in two sections: E.S.A. exhibition (for registered E.S.A. members) and Open exhibition (for other stone-lovers) with 40 and 45 stones, respectively. Tables were set at 105 cm, about 15 cm. higher than bonsai ones, so the looking of the stone was more level (this provoked a small delay in the preparation, but I think it was worthy, considering the results). From level down, the clothes were black, while level and above were covered with whitish clothes, in order to reinforce the viewing of the stones. Bamboo lacquered dividers were used. Kakemono and complementary items (kusamono, tempai/tenkai) were allowed. 

The effect on the general public and many bonsai people was striking: many people realized then and there the reasons of our illness and wondered they were only rocks picked from the wild; I must also admit that it was hard trying to explain the principles of our art, but we did our best. Many attendants also wondered about the similar level of two sections, as it could be expected Open exhibition be a ‘class B’. Let me unveil the trick: selection of stones of Spanish people was performed by myself and, as many of them presented stones for both sections, I deliberately tried to keep both sections as balanced as possible, in order to keep high the interest on the whole exhibition.

Though I personally prefer not granting awards, it is to be realized that they encourage participation and, when unbiased, provide some hints on the characteristics looked for in our art. The organizers accepted the suggestion of granting three awards for every section and decided by live exhibitors (no delegated vote)  ballot: every present exhibitor was given a separate sheet for every section, to note up to three stones in each (all stones were numbered). In the early Saturday evening, votes were counted and the prizes corresponded to: 
  • E.S.A. Exhibition
1º “Near mountain stone”, Catalonia (Spain), Mrs. Rosa Bonet (Spain)
2º “Village” (France), Mrs. Pilar Guillén (Spain)
3º “Horeb Rock”, Abegawa (Japan), Mr. Jesús Quintas (Spain)
  • Open Exhibition
1º “Suseok”, (Korea), Mrs. Chiara Padrini (Italia)
2º “Suavidad sonora”, (Japan), Mrs. Rosa Bonet (Spain)
3º “Piedra isla”, Guipúzcoa (Spain), Mr. Miguel Pérez Caballero (Spain)
 

In addition, B.C.I. awards were given to “Near mountain stone”, of Mrs. Rosa Bonet, and “Piedra isla” , of Mr. Miguel Pérez Caballero, and an A.I.A.S. award was assigned to "Near mountain stone”, Catalonia (Spain), of Mrs. Rosa Bonet.. Furthermore, Mrs. Rosa Bonet received an special merit award for her contribution to spreading the knowledge of suiseki in Spain. 

ESA General Meeting

Probably the most striking new was the retirement of Mr. Willi Benz as President, though he will continue as member of the Board and Chairman (a non-executive, but representative position); he proposed Mr. Igor Barta as new President and it was unanimously accepted. The position of Secretary has also transferred from Mrs. Gudrun Benz to Mr. Michael Sebo, while Mrs. Gudrun will help in the transition as Deputy Secretary. Mr. José Manuel Blázquez, from Spain, was appointed as new Board member and webmaster of the new ESA webpage; a preliminary presentation of the webpage was made and Board members made several suggestions to be considered in the final version that we hope will be available along this year. 

Images

The A.I.A.S. Award Recognition

The stones of the A.I.A.S. members

Mr. José Manuel Blazquez
"Ceiling of the world" 
Mr. José Manuel Blazquez
"Bodhidharma mediting"

Mr. José Manuel Blazquez
"Lost small island" 
Mr. José Manuel Blazquez
"The waterfall"

Mr. Juan J.Bueno
"Serenity" 
Mr. Juan J.Bueno
"Distant mount stone"

Mr. Vito Di Venere
"Island in the sun" 
Mr. Vito Di Venere
"Geo spirit"

Mr. Vito Di Venere
"Natural marine habitat" 
Mr. Vito Di Venere
"Chaos calm"

Mr. Jesús Quintas 
"Horeb rock" 
Mr. Jesús Quintas 
"Flowing power"

Mr. Jesús Quintas 
"Noah's arc" 
Mr. Jesús Quintas 
"Li po at loushan waterfall"

Mr. Marino Nikpal 
"Waterfall stone" 
Mr. Marino Nikpal 
"Motherly love"
 

Mr. Jesús Quintas A.I.A.S. member, and its stone waterfall, 3rd prize ESA

Mr. Jesús gave an interesting lecture on the theme: "Identification and positioning of stones”. Detailed news on Spring 2009 A.I.A.S. Newsletter.

  

Mrs. Pilar Guillen, a great friend and A.I.A.S. supporter, during her lecture focused on her personal approach to stone appreciation.

25 stones were placed on the table and every one had its own story to be told, regarding the place and circumstances of its finding. 

The third lecture was assumed by Teresa Aguilera and was also supported by text and graphics presentation. The main issue was about the conjunction of feeling and skills for a better stone appreciation.

The other stones

Mr. Igor Barta 
"Coastal stone" 
Mr. Igor Barta 
"Human stone"

Mr. Igor Barta 
"Plant pattern stone" 

Mr. Gudrun Benz 
"Mountain pool stone"
Mr. Willi Benz 
"Distant mountain stone"

Mrs. Maria Rosa Bonet 
"Near mountain stone"
Mrs. Maria Rosa Bonet 
"Distant mountain stone"

Mrs. Pilar Guillen
"Village"
Mrs. Pilar Guillen
"Lighthouse"

Mrs. Pilar Guillen
"Atlantic coast" 

Mr. José Llano
"Distant mount stone"
Mr. José Llano
"House stone"

Mr. José Llano
"Island stone" 
Mr. Michael Sebo
"Near mount stone"
 

S.A. SLOVAK
"House stone"
C.A.B PARLA
"Mountain stone"

C.A.B PARLA
"Mount stone"
C.A.B PARLA
"Near mount stone"

C.A.B PARLA
"Human stone"
C.A.B PARLA
"Waterfall stone"

C.A.B PARLA
"Island stone"
C.A.B PARLA
"Mountain stone"
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