MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
The Alcobendas Bonsai Museum was my second bonsai related visit while I was in Madrid recently. Alconbendas is a neighbourhood just northeast from the center of Madrid. The museum opened back in 1995 and its collection is comprised of over 300 bonsai although not all are on exhibit at any one time. The bonsai belong to Luis Vallejo, long considered the father of Spanish bonsai. Many of these trees were acquired by well known Japanese masters which include Kimura, Hiroshi Takeyama, Kunio Kobayashi and Shinji Suzuki among others. Several may be already famiar since they have appeared many times in Bonsai Focus magazine (among other republications) and won many awards at important exhibitions including the prestigious Noelanders Trophy.
Through a mutual friend, a meeting with Mario Komsta was arranged. Mario is considered today one of the top bonsai artists in Europe and he is chief curator at the museum. His reputation is well deserved judging from the exemplary work he has done in designing and maintaining the museum's collection since 2008. Mario walked me through the entire collection telling interesting stories as he went along. In addition, he showed me the nursery behind the museum where many masterpieces where being either redesigned or restored.
The museum is rather small but beautifully designed by Luis Vallejo himself. Everything flows and complements the bonsai. It is done in a simple, modern style combining man-made materials such as concrete with natural ones like large stones and wood all influenced by Japanese esthetics. The museum is considered to house one of the best collections of bonsai outside Japan.
On a personal note, many of these trees have long represented the gold standard for me. It was so good to see and study these trees in person. I left reenergized and inspired. Enjoy!
Through a mutual friend, a meeting with Mario Komsta was arranged. Mario is considered today one of the top bonsai artists in Europe and he is chief curator at the museum. His reputation is well deserved judging from the exemplary work he has done in designing and maintaining the museum's collection since 2008. Mario walked me through the entire collection telling interesting stories as he went along. In addition, he showed me the nursery behind the museum where many masterpieces where being either redesigned or restored.
The museum is rather small but beautifully designed by Luis Vallejo himself. Everything flows and complements the bonsai. It is done in a simple, modern style combining man-made materials such as concrete with natural ones like large stones and wood all influenced by Japanese esthetics. The museum is considered to house one of the best collections of bonsai outside Japan.
On a personal note, many of these trees have long represented the gold standard for me. It was so good to see and study these trees in person. I left reenergized and inspired. Enjoy!
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