Gardens in Suzhou (or Soochow) are just so beautiful, purely heavenly. I visited them as often as I can when I was in Shanghai (less than half an hour train ride). There are tons of gardens like this in Suzhou and each one is unique. These gardens were mostly built and maintained by men of letters from the past 500 years and obviously had a sort of bookish air to them.
Rocks have never been so fascinating, lol. Hearing about the way these massive stones have been shaped by nature over time, again by skilled craftsmen, then placed with intentionality throughout this gorgeous space... I can only imagine the peace, awe, and inspiration you could find there... I'm doing all I can to contain my jealousy. 😂
7:06 The Hall of Bright Waters reminds me of the Hall of Bright Carvings at the start of Titus Groan. And, thinking about it (and googling a bit), Mervyn Peake lived much of his early life in China.
every modern tall building should have a garden similar to this,,,,some green,some h20 or fountain, & a little view of sky,,,,,100% of times it gives psychological relief or balances the monstrosity of skyscrapers? 2:40 - a video on the rocks which started from 826 to Huizong (1100)...would be lovely,,,thanks!!
Interesting! Was there one direction that the designers intended visitors to walk through the garden, or are there multiple designed ways? I'd imagine that a different order elements are revealed in to the viewer would give an entirely different sensory experience
I had been to the garden, and according to the tour guide, regardless there is only one designed route, the possibility of different sensory is infinite due to the many possible points of view from one spot. For instance, within a tower, positions of all windows are calculated intentionally matching with the exterior view; to be precise, one window would be projecting the motional side with the flowing water, while another window would be showing the still part of the garden. Moreover, the garden feels completely different in different season in an unexpected and sublime way. These are just some of my shallow knowledge on Chinese garden art, if one digs deeper, the design of every garden is always in accordance with ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, fascinatingly. Humble Administrator Garden is one of the weisest exterior art I have ever seen/visited.
No, I wouldn't say there is one particular route, I would say the whole garden is blended in the architecture of the other rooms in the house, and there are inner gardens and small courtyard gardens in some larger great mansions in China, too. The purpose of some of the windows and doors in the garden, as well as pavilions and pagodas, is to have a view within a view and sometimes within a view. So you can see greenery through and window and beyond that a pagoda, or a temple or drum tower in the city beyond the pagoda, or mountains and other scenery. The living quarters consists of small courtyards for each extended family member, and sometimes in their courtyard too there would be trees and plants and flowers that all have symbolic meaning, like prosperity or success or wishing them to pass the civil service exams or bamboo which means upright, and modesty, and to be filial etc. The round shape symbolises the heaven and sun, whilst the square shape symbolises the earth, and they are thought to be perfect shapes. There are also some beautiful gardens and great mansions in Nanjing and Shanxi, and even Beijing, too.
Seems more influenced by Taoism/Daoism in the sense of space/beauty/nature than Confucianism which to me might be more utilitarian. Obviously there are aspects like for scholarship and study that would be influenced by Confucianism.
Thank you! I could not finish the video because of the voice-overs; it's like watching some "news" program with "personalities" who are compelled to yammer on and on. It's like someone going on and on about classical music while one is trying to listen to Mozart. They are not informing the listener, they are showing off.
These gardens look more beautiful when it rains.
Gardens in Suzhou (or Soochow) are just so beautiful, purely heavenly. I visited them as often as I can when I was in Shanghai (less than half an hour train ride). There are tons of gardens like this in Suzhou and each one is unique. These gardens were mostly built and maintained by men of letters from the past 500 years and obviously had a sort of bookish air to them.
Rocks have never been so fascinating, lol. Hearing about the way these massive stones have been shaped by nature over time, again by skilled craftsmen, then placed with intentionality throughout this gorgeous space... I can only imagine the peace, awe, and inspiration you could find there... I'm doing all I can to contain my jealousy. 😂
Thank you for this wonderful video! Would love to see more videos on oriental art
Wow, Beautiful Upload friend. keep it up. Thank you for sharing this to us. Greetings from Korea
Thank you. That was thought-provoking.
Love it. Thank you and God bless you.
7:06 The Hall of Bright Waters reminds me of the Hall of Bright Carvings at the start of Titus Groan. And, thinking about it (and googling a bit), Mervyn Peake lived much of his early life in China.
every modern tall building should have a garden similar to this,,,,some green,some h20 or fountain, & a little view of sky,,,,,100% of times it gives
psychological relief or balances the monstrosity of skyscrapers? 2:40 - a video on the rocks which started from 826 to Huizong (1100)...would be lovely,,,thanks!!
Interesting! Was there one direction that the designers intended visitors to walk through the garden, or are there multiple designed ways? I'd imagine that a different order elements are revealed in to the viewer would give an entirely different sensory experience
I had been to the garden, and according to the tour guide, regardless there is only one designed route, the possibility of different sensory is infinite due to the many possible points of view from one spot. For instance, within a tower, positions of all windows are calculated intentionally matching with the exterior view; to be precise, one window would be projecting the motional side with the flowing water, while another window would be showing the still part of the garden. Moreover, the garden feels completely different in different season in an unexpected and sublime way. These are just some of my shallow knowledge on Chinese garden art, if one digs deeper, the design of every garden is always in accordance with ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, fascinatingly. Humble Administrator Garden is one of the weisest exterior art I have ever seen/visited.
No, I wouldn't say there is one particular route, I would say the whole garden is blended in the architecture of the other rooms in the house, and there are inner gardens and small courtyard gardens in some larger great mansions in China, too. The purpose of some of the windows and doors in the garden, as well as pavilions and pagodas, is to have a view within a view and sometimes within a view. So you can see greenery through and window and beyond that a pagoda, or a temple or drum tower in the city beyond the pagoda, or mountains and other scenery. The living quarters consists of small courtyards for each extended family member, and sometimes in their courtyard too there would be trees and plants and flowers that all have symbolic meaning, like prosperity or success or wishing them to pass the civil service exams or bamboo which means upright, and modesty, and to be filial etc. The round shape symbolises the heaven and sun, whilst the square shape symbolises the earth, and they are thought to be perfect shapes. There are also some beautiful gardens and great mansions in Nanjing and Shanxi, and even Beijing, too.
Her: It seems like the water is so expansive creeping and meandering
Him: "I love the ephemeral evocation"
great review!
Seems more influenced by Taoism/Daoism in the sense of space/beauty/nature than Confucianism which to me might be more utilitarian. Obviously there are aspects like for scholarship and study that would be influenced by Confucianism.
🎏
I love and watch Smarthistory cnonverastions. However, in my view, this particular conversation is a bit too loaded with words and facts...
Thank you! I could not finish the video because of the voice-overs; it's like watching some "news" program with "personalities" who are compelled to yammer on and on. It's like someone going on and on about classical music while one is trying to listen to Mozart. They are not informing the listener, they are showing off.