Potomac Viewing Stone Group-- Chinese stone preferences

Last Sunday, enthusiasts met at the U.S. National Arboretum to discuss distinctions for stones of Chinese style. Glenn Reusch led discussion with handouts from Kemin Hu's book The Spirit of Gongshi and members discussed the stones which they brought (over 30). With time remaining, comparisons were made of similar stones to reveal similarities as well as modest differences that affected viewing. Several members revealed strong engagement with stones for distinctly different reasons, and their appreciation was reflected in different preferences.

A frequent traveler to China, National Arboretum Director Dr. Tom Elias asked club members to suggest a mounting for his Fengli stone, which appears ~ 6”/15cm. in length. He has placed it in a water tray with sand in the past (as though a landscape-style Japanese suiseki) but questioned if that is a reasonable choice for a shangshi...

Hi Chris, I believe that the square stand is the test choice for Tom's Fengli stone.
Square stand simulated a surface scene to open more space for the stone, of course, sand tray could make more breathing space and lightness for its shape. Please look at two pictures for a Fengli stone place below.

Hi Heven... Your stone images are both very engaging. Agreeing with you, I like the socketed board or footed stand which holds the stone closely yet also represents a plain of the earth.

For Tom's stone, I might prefer very little, if any, fitted socketing on the stone seat's top. It sits well-enough on a flat surface and the slow-curving, bottom-front edges increase the impression of layering. The layering resonates as geological strata (deep age expressed through form) and as stacked pages-- as in a book or album.

Your photos are very nice for expressing detail of the stone-- I especially like the angle of viewing. Your illustrations recall those of a previous IBC contributor & friend-- Shaojun, who is a stone dealer in Shanghai. He was a fine contributor to stone discussions.

In recent print & web publications, Chinese stones are often paired with backdrop illustrations such as scenery. Can you share more in regard to background illustration & Chinese stone appreciation, Heven?

Thanks for your advice & sharing.

Hi Chris, that is a good design for Tom's fengli stone under your idea, I can imagine what a beautiful stand.
P.S. No problem, I can share my illustrations, would you please tell me your email-box. I am looking forward to your publication is published early, I have many customers and friends in USA, I will be excited to tell them about your publication of Chinese scholars' rocks.

Hi Heven... Thanks for your generous response.

By asking if you can "share more in regard to background illustration," I hoped to learn more of why many Chinese stone illustrators prefer background that are not plain. It isn't necessary to send me the watermark illustrations, themselves.

Can you get explicit permission to share a photo from the "ystones" website? I'd like to hear your thoughts on
http://www.ystones.com/pictures/zhongwar.jpg if we can borrow the illustration.

Thanks!

By the way, is it of any use to translate my post in Chinese when writing. I have little idea of the difference between Google's "simplified Chinese" & "traditional Chinese." There is always the possibility of offending someone fluent in English by using an automated translator. Thanks for your advice on this!

Hello Chris, sorry to late response, Chinese stone collecters like illustration as a background to set out the sense of people endowed a stone with culture, history and imaging.

P.S. Zhongwar picture is owned by our a member, he was pleasure if you would like to borrow this illustration.

P.S.S. That is a problem, at least I don't think it is the best choice:), and there are a lot of errors if translate post by automated google tool.

In the illustration titled Zhongwar on the ystones website (in Heven's signature tag), the background clarifies the image of a "war chariot." It deepens appreciation & encourages looking closer.

Hi chris and Haven liked your stones, thought the stone in sand was spectacular. Intresting idea with the back ground.