Date：2024-09-06 - 2024-11-11
Location：Shanghai Museum East, Roof Garden (5F) & The Atrium of the Jiangnan Gallery (4F)
Organizer：Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Botanical Garden
Special Support：Shanghai Ornamental Rocks Association, Shanghai Penjing & Shangshi Association

The Shanghai Museum East is scheduled to be opened to the public in three phases. Since the end of June 2024, we have been in phase two. Concurrently, the Museum and the Shanghai Botanical Garden, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary, have launched an exhibition titled "The Resonance of Wood and Stone: Jiangnan Scholar's Rocks and Shanghai-style Penjing." This exhibition has adorned the Museum's Jiangnan Gallery and Roof Garden, both of which have recently been put to use, with elegant and vibrant decorations.

Leveraging the Museum's and the Botanical Garden's collections and social resources, the exhibition not only showcases the classic forms and historical achievements of the traditional culture of ornamental rocks and penjing, but also illustrates innovative practices that highlight the essence and characteristics of Jiangnan culture and Shanghai-style culture. This aims to further fulfill what is required in the Thought on Culture put forward by CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping: "focus on preserving the Chinese cultural legacy, with a view to promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of the cream of traditional Chinese culture." Furthermore, the exhibition seeks to promote the diversified development of the museum cause and meet the new cultural needs of the Chinese people.

Jiangnan is the region with the most abundant resources of classical ornamental rocks culture in China, and the appreciation of ornamental rocks has a long history here, dating back to as early as the late Tang dynasty and the Five Dynasties, to say the latest of it, when they began to appear in the studies of scholars and literati as works of art and decorations. With a history of more than 400 years, Shanghai-style penjing, which aims to emulate Nature and incorporate elements from ancient Chinese art, is a treasure in the humanistic tradition of Shanghai, the modernized cosmopolis. The juxtaposition of famous rocks and verdant penjings creates a perfect harmony in the Jiangnan garden scene on the roof of the Shanghai Museum East, truly reflecting the grace and elegance of the literati and artists, who sought to immerse themselves in the lyricism of mountains, forests, and hills, and presenting to our visitors a world full of joy and wonder, all derived from traditional Chinese culture.

Jiangnan is beautiful all year round, and Shanghai takes on a new look every day. The rugged rocks and unwithered pines in various forms in the exhibition are akin to this city, which is deeply rooted in the rich soil of Chinese civilization and seamlessly integrated with the cultural context of Jiangnan, standing tall and resilient in the currents of the times.

“Small Rectangular Pot,” a Studio Table Ornament

“What Leaves Mi Xiangyang Speechless with Amazement,” a Mountain-shaped Inkstone

"Pile of Black Jade," a Studio Table Ornament

Scholar's Rock

Studio Table Ornament

"Interlocking Clouds," a Studio Table Ornament

"Heaven and Earth in a Hole"

"Hidden Beauty of a Heavenly Abode"

"Ganoderma"

"Refined Spirits of Nature"

"Restful Cloud over the Waterside"

"Flying through Cloud towards the Moon"

"Observation without Action"

"Broaden Your Horizon to Enjoy the Scenery"

"Everlasting Quaintness"

"Green Waves Flowing Eastwards"

"Birdsong in the Field of a Village"

"The Autumn Waters Wait for the Returnees," a Combination of Scholar's Rocks and Orchids