2011 – 2012 Season
Windows into Beauty and Meaning
The Poetry of Chinese Architecture: Stepping into the Clouds
Ken Diener
September 10, 2011
Unique to a Chinese literati garden is the infusion of poetry throughout its core structure. Embedded in such garden designs is the traditional use of poetry, present at the very onset of entering and throughout one’s visit to the garden. Poetry is conveyed not only through written characters in the literary inscriptions, but more subtly in the basic elements of plant selections and the combination of plantings; the use of water, light, and shadows; the selection of literary passages and site names; and the interplay of natural forces and seasonal changes. The decorative and symbolic elements in the tiles and woodcarvings of the latticed doors, windows, railings, and interiors contribute to the poetry as well as the application of leak windows; the curve of roofs; the sculptural Tai Hu stones; the narrow, sensory pathways; the stability of granite; and the placement of architecture to facilitate progression, surprise, and self-reflection. This program from Ken Diener, a senior docent and architect, focuses on Chinese architecture and its poetic use in a scholar’s garden akin to walking through a Chinese landscape (shan shui) painting.
Ken Diener
September 10, 2011
Unique to a Chinese literati garden is the infusion of poetry throughout its core structure. Embedded in such garden designs is the traditional use of poetry, present at the very onset of entering and throughout one’s visit to the garden. Poetry is conveyed not only through written characters in the literary inscriptions, but more subtly in the basic elements of plant selections and the combination of plantings; the use of water, light, and shadows; the selection of literary passages and site names; and the interplay of natural forces and seasonal changes. The decorative and symbolic elements in the tiles and woodcarvings of the latticed doors, windows, railings, and interiors contribute to the poetry as well as the application of leak windows; the curve of roofs; the sculptural Tai Hu stones; the narrow, sensory pathways; the stability of granite; and the placement of architecture to facilitate progression, surprise, and self-reflection. This program from Ken Diener, a senior docent and architect, focuses on Chinese architecture and its poetic use in a scholar’s garden akin to walking through a Chinese landscape (shan shui) painting.
Celebrating Hoyt and Autumn’s Culture and Conservation of Maples
Martin Nicholson
October 1, 2011
Hoyt Arboretum Curator, Martin Nicholson, provides an in-depth tour of Hoyt’s nationally recognized Maple Collection, which is part of the effort of the American Public Gardens Association to conserve a genetic seed bank of endangered trees for restoration to their native habitat. Martin explains the significance of maples, as well as conservation issues and taxonomic features of this fascinating genus as he leads a half-mile tour.
Martin Nicholson
October 1, 2011
Hoyt Arboretum Curator, Martin Nicholson, provides an in-depth tour of Hoyt’s nationally recognized Maple Collection, which is part of the effort of the American Public Gardens Association to conserve a genetic seed bank of endangered trees for restoration to their native habitat. Martin explains the significance of maples, as well as conservation issues and taxonomic features of this fascinating genus as he leads a half-mile tour.
Sensory Plants in a Scholar’s Garden to Awaken and Inspire
Sean Hogan
November 5, 2011
Though Lan Su Chinese Garden has limited space, it nevertheless offers many possibilities for plant selection, and plants with both meaning and fragrance became a focal point from its inception. Additionally, an urban setting opens up the potential for showcasing plants which can provide pleasure for city dwellers. Sean Hogan, the original Garden Curator, discusses these and many more of the original goals for plant selection at Lan Su Chinese Garden.
Sean Hogan
November 5, 2011
Though Lan Su Chinese Garden has limited space, it nevertheless offers many possibilities for plant selection, and plants with both meaning and fragrance became a focal point from its inception. Additionally, an urban setting opens up the potential for showcasing plants which can provide pleasure for city dwellers. Sean Hogan, the original Garden Curator, discusses these and many more of the original goals for plant selection at Lan Su Chinese Garden.
Lessons from Abroad Examining Issues of Relevance and Identity for a Suzhou-style Garden in 21st Century North America
Cynthia Johnson Haruyama
December 3, 2011
Over the past year, Lan Su Chinese Garden Executive Director Cynthia Johnson Haruyama has led teams of staff and board members to visit Suzhou’s historic gardens and the other three North American Suzhou-built gardens (Pasadena, Vancouver BC, and Staten Island) to examine Lan Su’s identity and mission through conversations with Lan Su’s creators, Kuang Zhenyan and He Fengchun, and by comparison to other classical Chinese gardens; resolve questions on plant, furniture, fish, and art choices, as well as safety and maintenance; and create a peer network. Cynthia explains, “These visits are like Lan Su’s leak windows—we see into other spaces and then when we are in those spaces, we can look back into our own space and understand it better.” Cynthia shares lessons learned from these visits.
Cynthia Johnson Haruyama
December 3, 2011
Over the past year, Lan Su Chinese Garden Executive Director Cynthia Johnson Haruyama has led teams of staff and board members to visit Suzhou’s historic gardens and the other three North American Suzhou-built gardens (Pasadena, Vancouver BC, and Staten Island) to examine Lan Su’s identity and mission through conversations with Lan Su’s creators, Kuang Zhenyan and He Fengchun, and by comparison to other classical Chinese gardens; resolve questions on plant, furniture, fish, and art choices, as well as safety and maintenance; and create a peer network. Cynthia explains, “These visits are like Lan Su’s leak windows—we see into other spaces and then when we are in those spaces, we can look back into our own space and understand it better.” Cynthia shares lessons learned from these visits.
Chinese New Year Brunch: Welcoming the Year of the Dragon 龍 , 4710
First Saturday PDX Planning Comittee
January 7, 2012
First Saturday PDX Planning Comittee
January 7, 2012
Chinese Small Scene Paintings:
Interaction of Gardens with Landscape Paintings
Ann Wetherell
February 4, 2012
Of all subjects in Chinese art, birds and flowers were amongst the earliest, appearing as décor on bronze vessels and ceramics over 2,000 years ago, before the rise of landscape painting. Dr. Ann Wetherell, Chinese art historian, explores the metaphorical relationship established between the natural world and human society in poetry and painting of flowers and birds from the Song through the Ming Dynasties. Through personification and anthropomorphism, paintings convey the drama of life played out on the smallest of scales. Vignettes in literati gardens help us to recall the myriad birds, flowers, and plants in Chinese paintings.
Interaction of Gardens with Landscape Paintings
Ann Wetherell
February 4, 2012
Of all subjects in Chinese art, birds and flowers were amongst the earliest, appearing as décor on bronze vessels and ceramics over 2,000 years ago, before the rise of landscape painting. Dr. Ann Wetherell, Chinese art historian, explores the metaphorical relationship established between the natural world and human society in poetry and painting of flowers and birds from the Song through the Ming Dynasties. Through personification and anthropomorphism, paintings convey the drama of life played out on the smallest of scales. Vignettes in literati gardens help us to recall the myriad birds, flowers, and plants in Chinese paintings.
Enjoying the Unique Bamboo Collection in the Lan Su Chinese Garden
Ned Jacquith
March 3, 2012
No plants are more characteristic of China, more deeply involved throughout the ages with everyday life, or more prominent in Chinese art and technology than the bamboos. The tradition of writing about these plants is longer and more continuous than any others, stretching back to the Shi Jing (Book of Odes), completed between the 11th and 7th centuries BC. Ned Jaquith, a bamboo enthusiast and owner of Bamboo Garden, takes us on a journey into the diverse world of bamboo.
Ned Jacquith
March 3, 2012
No plants are more characteristic of China, more deeply involved throughout the ages with everyday life, or more prominent in Chinese art and technology than the bamboos. The tradition of writing about these plants is longer and more continuous than any others, stretching back to the Shi Jing (Book of Odes), completed between the 11th and 7th centuries BC. Ned Jaquith, a bamboo enthusiast and owner of Bamboo Garden, takes us on a journey into the diverse world of bamboo.
The Porcelain of China: Window into Chinese Gardens
Michael Riley
April 7, 2012
Dr. Michael Riley shares his perspectives of the porcelains of the Qing Dynasty as icons of Chinese culture by looking at the depiction of nature and garden scenes on them. Through the evolutionary use of designs, traditional forms, colors, glazes, enameling techniques, symbolism, and iconography, the unique characteristics of the Chinese culture are revealed.
Michael Riley
April 7, 2012
Dr. Michael Riley shares his perspectives of the porcelains of the Qing Dynasty as icons of Chinese culture by looking at the depiction of nature and garden scenes on them. Through the evolutionary use of designs, traditional forms, colors, glazes, enameling techniques, symbolism, and iconography, the unique characteristics of the Chinese culture are revealed.
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Reaching Across the Continents: A Sampling of Plants from China which Influenced the Gardens of Europe and the Gardening World
Ina Asim May 5, 2012 Aptly named the “Mother of Gardens” by early 20th century plant hunter Ernest H. Wilson, China is home to some 31,000 native plant species. Dr. Ina Asim, University of Oregon professor, will share a part of her recent study on gardens of China and how Chinese plants have become an integral part of the formal and everyday gardens outside of China. |
Our educational program series has been developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and is free of charge and open to the public.
View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC), Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE. There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking
View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC), Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE. There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking
