When asked if I’d give an honest review for PBM’s LAB 2 I was excited to see what was different about it compared to other online content for bonsai out there currently. We already have our Mirai and Empire content both of which cater for all our bonsai addictions. What could LAB offer that these didn’t cover already?

On the night of the live stream I watched the stream from 22.00 GMT until midnight knowing I was up again for a full on day at 04.00 the next morning. I felt that 2 hours would be enough to get a feel for it  but by midnight I was gutted that I really had to get to bed. Happily I was able to dip back in 24 hours later and watch the missed content in the replay.

I titled this blog post ‘innovation inspiring Innovation’. Watching a potter, a stand maker and a bonsai artist all pushing the limits of what’s possible, and in turn throwing down that challenge to the others at each progressing LAB session, was a great watch and thought provoking.

In the words of the LAB Project “Rather than starting with a styled tree and asking both the pot and the standmaker to respond to it (as is traditionally practiced), the LAB asks: What if the stand comes first?; or the pot?; Where can these makers take the art of bonsai if they allow themselves to influenced by each other in an entirely new way?”

This actually helps explain the LAB sessions better than words can.

I’m a Mirai Live guy and know what to expect from Ryan’s quality work but what blew me away was Austin and Ron’s content in the stream. Both the pots and stands are on another level and far removed from traditional practices.

I guess if you are a traditionalist then much of this won’t be to your taste, but were would be be in bonsai if no one ever pushes the limits to see just how far we can go. Check out the LAB website here for more information and and watch the trailers for the first few sessions. Next session is August 17th and if the GMT time is right, I really hope to be watching how this has evolved further from LAB 2