The first time Dennis Vojtilla appeared on Asymmetry, it was groundbreaking; in this episode, Dennis returns to continue pushing the envelope on the exploration of deciduous species as bonsai. Dennis clarifies and expands upon techniques introduced in his first podcast, details his experimentation with bonsai over the course of his career, and divulges some of his secrets in creating some of the finest ramification we've ever seen.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

In this episode, dive into all things deciduous with bonsai professional Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai, another artist on the cutting edge of American bonsai's evolution. Andrew is not only a bonsai practitioner, but an accomplished musician; listen as Ryan and Andrew explore the dichotomy of Ryan's love of conifers, and Andrew's devotion to deciduous. They examine their thoughts about performing (both musically and in bonsai), their respective apprenticeships, and their passion for native North American species.

Hosted by Ryan NeilRecorded by Michael Lime Allen

In this episode of Asymmetry, get to know prolific, world-renowned yamadori collector Randy Knight. Aside from the mysteries of the collection process, Ryan, Randy, and Lime dive into Randy's life with trees, his passions, and his unfailing curiosity about the world around him. 

Hosted by Ryan NeilRecorded by Michael Lime Allen

In this episode, we kick off 2020 by catching up with great bonsai artist and friend Todd Schlafer of First Branch Bonsai. Todd, Ryan, and Lime discuss the end of the year and start of a new decade, their hopes and goals for 2020, what it's like to drive across the country in a truck full of bonsai, and some nostalgia on their collaborations over the years.

 

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

Walter Pall is an unmistakable, remarkable personality in the bonsai world. In this episode of Asymmetry, Walter, along with his student Jennifer Price, his apprentice Thomas Haerrig, and inimitable yamadori collector Randy Knight, join Ryan to discuss the evolution of bonsai, and the evolving concept of authenticity as it relates to the art.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

In part two of our conversation with Tom Benda and Jan Culek, both incredible Czech ceramicists, we dive further into what makes them tick as artists. Explore how the evolution of bonsai fuels the evolution of their art, and vice versa; listen as Ryan, Lime, Tom, and Jan discuss the formation of ideas, the influence of the environment on a creator, and more.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

In this episode of Asymmetry, dive into the stories and experiences behind the innovative ceramic and bonsai artists Tom Benda and Jan Culek, both of the Czech Republic and both creating some of the most exquisite ceramic vessels available for bonsai today. Listen and explore the fall of Communism and the shifts in government in the Czech Republic, and the experiences that shaped the lives and artwork of these two incredible artists.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

It's that time of year again: Ryan and Lime journeyed across the country on the Covered Wagon, Bonsai Mirai's yearly tree transport service, to bring trees to their owners and to bring you another slightly delirious road-recorded episode of Asymmetry. In this episode, Ryan and Lime show you the history, process, and the reality behind the Covered Wagon, with plenty of sleep-deprived humor along the way.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

After a short hiatus spent driving the Covered Wagon (our cross-country tree transport service) to New York, we're back with another CoffeeCast: a dispatch from one of the groups that have been studying at Mirai the longest, our Juniper 3 class. Though the group comes from varied backgrounds, they find commonality in bonsai; in this episode, they discuss barbecue, ceramics, and the way they approach artistic creation.

Hosted by Ryan Neil

Recorded by Michael Lime Allen

We've got a very special podcast for you this week–several months ago, Ryan had the opportunity to be interviewed by History Colorado for their podcast Lost Highways: Dispatches from the Shadows of the Rocky Mountains. In this episode, storytellers Tyler and Noel set out to discover the history of bonsai in Colorado. They discuss how WWII prison camps influenced bonsai in North America, the pioneers of this art form in Colorado, and the tangled webs of cultural identity wrapped up in this ancient art.

 

Subscribe to Lost Highways: Dispatches from the Shadows of the Rocky Mountains wherever you get your podcasts, or visit https://www.historycolorado.org/lost-highways.