(taken from Asia Society’s Asia Blog at: http://asiastoreblog.blogspot.com)
An Interview Scholars’ Rock Expert
with Kemin Hu
Cherished by the Chinese for generations, scholars’ rocks or “spirit stones” are gaining appreciation in the West for their beauty and spiritual meaning. Kemin Hu was stirred to an appreciation of scholar?s rocks by her father, a noted connoisseur of Chinese antiquities. She became an authority on scholar?s stones through her long career as a dealer and collector, as well as through her friendships with such great collectors as Richard Rosenbloom and C.C. Wang.
A: How did you become interested in and begin collecting scholars’ rocks?
K: My entire life I have been around scholar rocks. As a child in China my father collected antiques and scholar rocks, and even though I didn?t begin collecting them until later, I have been around them all my life.
A: Why do people in China collect scholars’ rocks?
K: In ancient times, and still now, Chinese scholars have appreciated these rocks as a means to remain close to nature. They see humans not as removed from nature but as a part of it, and these rocks serve as a way to communicate with it. The stones act as a sort of window, so that when one is somewhere like a big city like New York, you can still have a mental connection with nature via the stone. In the Song, Tang, and Ming dynasties the emperors collected scholar rocks.
A: Where do the stones come from?
K: The stones come from all over China. Some come from under the ground, some come from lakes, and some come from the desert. Most stones are formed completely by nature, but some are first formed naturally and then enhanced by man. In China many collect only naturally formed stones, but others think that if the stone is beautiful, then whether it was made 100% by nature or helped along a bit by an artist is irrelevant. Like Richard Rosenbloom says, ?it does not matter if it a stone has been enhanced or not, what matters is if the stone is beautiful and has spirit.
A: Can you tell us a little bit about Richard Rosenbloom?
K: He is the leading Western collector of scholar rocks. He has been collecting them for more than 20 years. His collection has been exhibited in many places: the MET, Asia society, BMFA. As well as abroad in Germany and Switzerland. Because of him, many more people are aware of and interested in scholar rocks.
A: What kind of environment, and how are these rocks formed?
K: The rocks are formed over years, from a few decades to in some cases hundreds of years. Even the rocks that are enhanced by people, most of the shape is created by natural conditions over years. Each piece is different. Stones from lakes have holes made by flowing water. They are also very smooth. Stones from the desert are shaped by wind and sand. these are very strong, otherwise they would have just turned to sand.
A: You?ve written three books on scholars’ rocks. Can you tell us more about your books?
K: The first book is in memory of my father. It includes articles not only by me but by Richard Rosenbloom, Cece wong, and Ian Wilson. The book serves as an introduction to scholar rocks. The second book is based on and about the catalogue of scholar rocks from the Ming Dynasty period. The third book is a book to use for learning about how to choose a stone, and theory on its placement and positioning. I like to recommend that one reads the first two books first, as that teaches why one collects these rocks, and gives insight into the philosophy behind these rocks. Then the third book is useful for learning what kind of stone you might want.
A: Do you have any advice for a first time buyer on how to choose a scholars’ rock?
K: I am asked this question often when I give talks on scholar rocks. People often ask me, ?how do I know which stone has spirit??, and my answer is always very quick. I tell them that the stone you like has the most spirit. If it does not have spirit, it won?t catch your eye.
Join us for a Scholar’s Rock Special Sale Event at AsiaStore
Thurs-Sun, November 29 ? December 2
11am-6pm, Friday until 9pm
Personal Appearance by author Kemin Hu
Thurs-Sun, November 29 ? December 2
1pm-4pm
Delight in an expanded selection of newly acquired scholars’ rocks from the collection of Kemin Hu. Kemin Hu’s books Spirit of Gongshi, Scholar’s Rocks in Ancient China and Scholars’ Rocks: A Guide for Collectors, will be available for signing.