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Peijing

2007.08.26





Chuhin Bonsai Ficuses (Empark Grand Hotel, Beijing, China)

Penjing is the ancient Chinese art of creating a miniature landscape in a container. The word consists in pen (pot) and jing (scenery). An artist may use plant material and natural stone for her/his creation, but even a single miniature tree can make up a beautiful composition.

History

Penjing as an art form spans over a thousand years. Earliest historical records of a stone and a plant arranged in a container to form an artistic scenery date from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Peijing’s goals

The Penjing artist's goal is not only to re-create a natural scenery in a container, but to capture its essence and spirit. Like a Chinese landscape painting, a penjing is a study in contrasts. Artistically, the contrasts create rhythm and dramatic tension which then is resolved in a dynamic balance, a delicately tuned equilibrium.

Penjing artists do not seek to create perfection. Apart from being beautiful, an outstanding Penjing must look entirely natural. It should look as if Nature herself had spontaneously created it, like a marvellous accident.

Peijing vs. Bonsai

The art of creating miniature trees reached Japan by the 13th century. Where gave life to the art of Bonsai. Over time, this art slowly began to adapt a more naturalistic style; while even rock landscapes that lack plant materials are considered Penjing.

Spiritual aspect

Penjing and Bonsai are viewed as objects of meditation. The act of creating Penjing is a contemplative, meditative exercise, a practice of Zen. The little trees and miniature landscapes are a celebration of Nature. Creating and taking care of miniatue trees will brings closer to nature, enabling the artist to experience her in a more direct, intimate way.



Fonts and in-depths:
usna.usda.gov, ceynix.co.uk, venuscomm.com

40 Comments
millapiim like wallpaper:)
millapiim · 2007-08-26: 05:08
txerra Minimalismo en toda la extensión de la palabra: modelo, lugar y luz (Minimalism in all aspects)
txerra · 2007-08-26: 05:19
Estel Very interesting post. The shots are beautiful. Wish I had the skill to create miniature landscapes!
Estel · 2007-08-26: 05:27
deleted090307 Most interesting set. There is such an art to this and you have captured them so well.
deleted090307 · 2007-08-26: 05:36
magdacoolk Thanks for the commentary, pretty tree
magdacoolk · 2007-08-26: 06:12
garysktam Wao.....Bonzai is the famous art in China but Japan also do very good.
garysktam · 2007-08-26: 06:15
storytaylor a splendid specimen with remarkable detail. I love it
storytaylor · 2007-08-26: 06:37
fionarobinson very pretty
fionarobinson · 2007-08-26: 06:40
aunee very entertaining and well done :)
aunee · 2007-08-26: 07:21
KC727 Very nice shots :))
KC727 · 2007-08-26: 10:40
chrisfly Beautiful set
chrisfly · 2007-08-26: 13:11
artbug very intricate and loveeeee the contrast ... beautiful!
artbug · 2007-08-26: 14:21
Ikuszka Gorgeous.
Ikuszka · 2007-08-26: 15:57
miclaud Magnificent!
miclaud · 2007-08-26: 21:02
maharba Very informative and beautiful shots
maharba · 2007-08-26: 22:07
vollenda Beautiful set. They are exquisite in their forms.
vollenda · 2007-08-26: 22:57
cropaula Great.
The scene is amazing, and this lovely table...
cropaula · 2007-08-27: 04:27
scribe Zen sational shots :)
scribe · 2007-08-27: 04:41
gajesio nice tree :) good idea ~!
gajesio · 2007-08-27: 04:51
Sevendipity Fascinating. I knew of bonsai but not peijing.
Sevendipity · 2007-08-27: 04:56
OC110481 Very great composition, love the white, green and the lighting from backgroud. smooth and strong inside it
OC110481 · 2007-08-27: 07:11
PhySpi piaoliang! (beautiful) ! -
:)
PhySpi · 2007-08-27: 07:23
jenniferp One would be interesting, but to have six together makes for a stronger impression. Lovely
jenniferp · 2007-08-27: 07:45
flipado FANTASTIC!! You've been here less than a fortnight and you are already a force to be reckoned!!

Great series from China :)
flipado · 2007-08-28: 04:43
domino zen atmosphere, I like a lot, bravo!
domino · 2007-08-28: 06:37
lasslopetho gyönyörü!
lasslopetho · 2007-08-28: 15:06
TIM927 Art everywhere, great set!
TIM927 · 2007-08-29: 09:16
Godin nice...thanks for sharing...
Godin · 2007-08-29: 21:49
carulcuvere Wonderful set, very artistical
carulcuvere · 2007-08-30: 08:03
davidcardona A wonderful post! Thanks for sharing!
davidcardona · 2007-08-30: 20:34
daidailu520 great!!!
daidailu520 · 2007-08-30: 22:32
mmoleyar Bonsai's at their best! Cool!
mmoleyar · 2007-09-02: 22:42
chipotle the soft back-lighting and presenting them as near silhouettes works beautifully.
chipotle · 2007-09-03: 07:33
Cabecilha excellent blog entry... I learned a lot and about things i like!
Cabecilha · 2007-09-03: 11:38
jendayee Thanks for the informations ! very interesting set !
jendayee · 2007-09-03: 12:29
sandmoon thanks for sharing... excellent execution
sandmoon · 2007-09-06: 17:42
Shanti These are so beautiful!
Shanti · 2007-09-07: 11:46
lar10 great set.
lar10 · 2007-09-08: 10:56
littleann beautiful set.. i used to have a bonsai, but it died.. i was really sad..
littleann · 2007-11-25: 07:50
cipic very interesting explications, wonderfull fotos, delicious blog. thank you.
cipic · 2008-03-09: 18:49
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