Page 24 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q1

Top; Speakers at the also some stones from other places. The stones were
convention, from left to right:
Dr. Qiu Zhili from Sun Yat-Sen lined up at both sides of corridor-like halls around
University of Guangzhou; Mr. the Amphitheater where the bonsai demonstrations
Dato Chua from Malaysia, were held. Some of the small or delicate stones were
interpreter; Dr. Tom Elias, BCI protected by glass boxes. Three outstanding viewing
President 2012–2015, and stones were given a BCI award that was presented to
Chairman of the Viewing
Stone Association of North the winners at the closing ceremony on Monday, 21st
America; and Mr. Zhou September.
Guo Xin, Chairman of the The themes of viewing stone lectures were on wax
Guangdong Viewing Stone stones by Dr. Qui Zhili; onYing (or Yingde) stones by
Association. Zhou Guo Xin; onViewing stones in North America
Middle left; Mr. Kunio by Tom Elias; on Japanese Suiseki by Kunio Kobayashi
Kobayashi, President of
Nippon Suiseki Association and on Viewing stones/Suiseki in Europe by Dr.
Middle right; Dr. Michal Šebo Michal Šebo.
from Slovakia In the convention directory, page 15 and 16, it was
Bottom; A colorful stone the pointed out that Chinese viewing stone culture mainly
surface of which is polished. focuses on the appreciation of natural stones. China
has witnessed a long history of natural stone apprecia-
tion with the earliest written record dating back 3000
years ago. Ying and wax stones are both traditional
Chinese scholars’ rocks. They are found in Guangdong
“The Infinity of Bonsai and Viewing Stones: a Cultural and Guangxi province. Their earliest written records
Voyage from Canton to the World” and “Southern date back to Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). The lectures
Pearl Gathering the Arts of the World,” took place on viewing stones were translated from English into
on September 17 to 21, 2015 in the city center at the Chinese, respectively from Japanese into Chinese and
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Guangdong Science English, as well as from Chinese into English.
Hall both located only a stone’s throw away from each The first lecture was by Tom Elias, chairman of
other. The Guangdong hotel was also situated only 5 Viewing Stone Association of North America, on
minutes of walking distance from the venue. September 18, who authored three books and numer-
Whereas the penjing exhibition was set up out- ous articles on stones appreciation. Tom described
doors at the wide terrace in front of the Sun Yat-Sen the current situation in the USA and pointed out that
Memorial Hall, the “Ornamental Stones” were exhib- stone appreciation has only a history of about 50 years
ited at the nearby Guangdong Science Hall (museum) in North America. There are 12 clubs with about 350 to
at the auditorium where lectures about stone apprecia- 500 stone collectors in this big country. There doesn’t
tion were held. exist any stone market in the USA even if the interest
Mostly stones found in Guangdong province in stones is growing. The criteria for stone evaluation
were shown at the exhibition such as wax stones, are the overall impression, color, texture, material but
Ying stones, surface pattern stones, malachite but also the harmony between wooden base and stone.

22 | BCI | January/February/March 2016