GUEST ARTIST

On 1st of December, a famous artist called Zhao Bin visited our school. He is one of the most famous professional landscape architects in China, who gave us a speech on the famous Suzhou Gardens. We listened carefully and it made us know more about Suzhou Gardens.

Mr. Zhao told us that 'Yuan' means gardens in Chinese and a garden which is in Chinese style should be composed of lands, trees, water and walls. Also, the word used to mean the Paradise in Latin. In ancient time, Yuan was used to feed animals. However, at present, garden is a good place for people to relax and enjoy their time.

The royal gardens and private gardens are the very common main styles of Chinese Gardens. The aristocrat and wealth lived in these kinds of gardens. Temple gardens and the gardens in the place of interest are also the main styles of Chinese gardens. Suzhou Gardens have a long history in China, as old as 2000 years.

Mr. Zhao told us that the designs of the old Chinese architects were not only fantastic but also creative. They designed the ponds and made them into different shapes and sizes. It was just like the tailor cutting the clothes. Also, the architects selected the Tai Hu rocks carefully; they used the original and natural shapes and sizes, and then put them together to make the rockwork, rather than cutting the rocks into different shapes and sizes. Otherwise, it would break the balance of nature. The rockwork is one of the most important elements in the Suzhou gardens. They made the rockwork just like the real beautiful hills and dangerous valleys, even like the Chinese painting.Mr. Zhao also gave us a example, Ou Yuan was designed by a famous architects Ge Yuliang .It is famous for the magic rockwork in it. The rockwork in Ou Yuan is magic. When you are in Ou Yuan, and look at the rockwork from the different places, you may achieve the different feelings. The designs of Ge made the garden alive. These miniature mountains let the whole garden become more natural and delicate.

It was so unlucky that Mr. Zhao did not finish the speech because of the time. I think the speech is very attractive to me. It is also very meaningful for us to learn the knowledge about Suzhou Gardens. We enjoyed ourselves that afternoon and all thanked for Mr. Zhao's speech.