Page 9 - BSAM 2015 Q4

All four photographs; Opening ceremonies at the 2015 joint BCI/ASPAC convention held in the main auditorium of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall.
A bene t auction of 26 Chinese viewing stones, paintings, calligraphy, and two antique pots were auctioned following lunch on the rst day of activi- ties. e auction was arranged by Huang Jui Wei who also capably served as the overall local coordinator of the convention. e proceeds of the auction, $10,000, were given to BCI at the end of the convention.
The Exhibit, Lectures and Demonstrations:
e four-day, joint convention and exhibition was divided into two parts. e rst two days, September 18th and 19th were devoted to an opening ceremony and viewing exhibitions of trees and stones, followed by a series of bonsai styling demonstrations by Chi- nese and foreign bonsai masters. Concurrent demon- strations by Asian bonsai masters Wong Chau Shing (Hong Kong), Zhao Qing Quan (China) and Matsuda Mitsuo (Japan) took place on the rst day in an au- ditorium packed with observers. Fortunately, a large screen projection of the demonstrations aided observ- ers in seeing detailed aspects of the styling techniques. Mr. Zhao masterfully completed one of his famous rock and tree penjing arrangements, while Wong and Matsuda styled individual trees. Also on stage of the rst a ernoon of demonstrations was Gong Linmin (China), master ceramic artist, who skillfully cra ed Zisha bonsai pots for the audience.
Lectures on aspects of stone appreciation took place in the amphitheater located on the rst oor of the Provincial Science Museum. e rst lecture was by BCI President, Tom Elias (USA) who spoke on the
Viewing Stones of North America. He was followed by an illustrated lecture on Guangdong Ying Stones by Mr. Zhou Guo Xin (China). e third and nal view- ing stone lecture of the day was by Dr. Michal Sebo (Slovakia) who spoke on European stones.
Both sides of the hallway that circled the huge au- ditorium on the rst oor of the science museum were lined with ne viewing stones, primarily from Guangdong Province. is outstanding exhibition of numerous stones was arranged by the Guangdong Provincial Viewing Stone Association. Some ne ex- ample of the relatively new colorful Ruyuan stones and the dark ebony colored Black Mountain stones were displayed. Except for their Yellow Wax Stones, Guangdong viewing stones have been in the shadows of the well-known and more northerly Lingbi and Taihu stones. A er the rst day of demonstrations and lectures, the evening was capped with a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.
Attendees returned to the Science Museum on the second day of activities to see the next set of bonsai stylists demonstrate their skills. Chen Jian Liang (Tai- wan), John Wang (USA), and François Jeker (France) were on stage in the large auditorium. Wang, with amazing speed made a ne example of a “break down” style of modern bonsai; while Jeker, demonstrated the technique that has made him famous—his ne wood carving skills. Returning to the stage for a second day, ceramic artist Gong Linmin continued his pot making technique before another huge audience. Both days of demonstrations were excellent and captivated the large crowd.
October/November/December 2015 | BCI | 7