Zhan Wang: The New Suyuan Stone Catalogue

Natural stone is not in itself art, but in the eyes of the Chinese people it symbolizes nature and the cosmos. Naturally formed rocks were called jiashanshi, and are not like other works of art. They are "ready-mades" selected by humans from nature, and in collecting these ready-made forms, people are seeking a metaphor for "divine creation'. Seen in this light, jiashanshi cannot solely be defined by the modern idea of art, but as a concept, a philosophical perspective necessary for real life. For over the past twenty years, contemporary artist Zhan Wang has been creating internationally acclaimed stainless steel jiashanshi. This lavishly illustrated volume explores these grand creations, providing a refreshing way of negotiating tradition within contemporary public spaces.… (more)