Sparking Minerals and Poetic Stones
Description of an exhibition of viewing stones and bonsai in Basel Switzerland
By Sandro Tschudin May, 2023
The Basel Minerals Days are known far beyond the region as the largest mineral fair in Switzerland. It takes place annually at the beginning of December in the huge fairgrounds of the Messe Basel. Around 2,500 visitors attended to marvel at treasures from around the globe on over 500 meters of sale stands and exhibition spaces.
Thanks to the invitation from Daniela and Marcus Stauffer with the team from the Basel Minerals and Fossils Association, who invited us to plan and stage this Suiseki Special Exhibition. This exhibition created a space of tranquility at this event. The Japanese aesthetic set an attractive contrast to the busy hustle and bustle among the colorful minerals. The visitors were fascinated with this entirely different view of stones. Many visitors used our stone and tree displays to calm their senses.
The hidden beauty of our 15 exhibits waited to be discovered by interested visitors. Each presentation was accompanied by a haiku written for the stone, enabling a poetic introduction to the audience. The Suiseki was always accompanied by a matching Japanese scroll painting and other exquisite presentation elements such as accent plants (Shitakusa) or bronze figures (Tenpai). It was clear that all the elements were chosen with great care to help reinforce each presentation’s message.
quiet
only the pale crescent moon
gently cuts the last stalk
the east wind blows
so hard and dry
the gentle slopes
The adoration of nature is also reflected in Japanese aesthetics through the bonsai design, which, as images of old venerable trees, can put the viewer in a state of inner peace and stimulating amazement. Together, the two arts of Bonsai and Suiseki have the power to tell stories and thus stimulate the viewer’s imagination to take them on an inner journey. Therefore, it is understandable that these two arts are considerable and cultivated in Asia as the two sides of the same coin.
reflection of summer
don’t run
through my fingers
The three combined presentations with Bonsai and Suiseki were made possible by the Basel Minerals and Fossils Association. This group contacted the group Moyogi Bonsai- and Suiseki-Freunde Dreilandereck Basel made the infrastructure available and prepared it with the “Moyogis,” who rounded off the exhibition with an information table about Bonsai. Their live demonstrations offer further highlights for many interested people.
The Suiseki presentations were curated by Kawasemi Studios (Sandro and Nadja Tschudin), Martin Fercher, and Daniel Battaglia. Thanks to M. Fercher’s meticulous layout work, the exhibition could be set up in one day. Such an undertaking required many committed hands, and it was wonderful to see how all the steps came together to form a convincing overall picture. The quiet power of the stones touched many people this weekend.
