Tan Yifan

    cicitan2011@gmail.com

    TEN rare stones inscribed with Chinese characters that elaborate on the top 10 concepts of Shenzhen that constitute the spirit of the city are on display through December at Futian District Auditorium.

    Created by famed local calligrapher Guan Bochun, the recently completed pieces aim to present to the public the essence of the 10 concepts, which were selected in 2010.

    Guan, who began to study stone art in the late 1970s and founded stone-based mini-calligraphy, decided to make a new addition to his grandiose creations by inscribing ink art that elaborates on the concepts on 10 rare stones he collected from across the country.

    He carefully wrote the Chinese characters with small ink brushes on the surfaces of the polished stones and froze them with a special technique to ensure the writing cannot be wiped away. To match the content of the 10 concepts, each stone he selected bears either a special pattern or a shape that echoes the concept.

    Initiated by the municipal government four years ago, citizens were encouraged to suggest and then decide on the ideas that make up Shenzhen’s spirit. Thus, the 10 concepts were codified: “Time is money, efficiency is life,” “Empty talk endangers the nation, practical work brings prosperity,” “Dare to become the world’s first,” “Reform and innovation are the root and soul of Shenzhen,” “Let Shenzhen be respected for its enthusiasm for reading,” “Innovation encouraged, failure tolerated,” “Fulfilling the cultural rights of citizens,” “The fragrance of the rose lingers on the hand that gives,” “Shenzhen embraces the world” and “You are a Shenzhener once you come here.”

    Among the exhibits, three stones have attracted the most visitors. One is the stone with the sentence “Time is money, efficiency is life.” The origin of the stone is Du’an, Guangxi. It is a grey stone shaped like a flag in the wind. The edges of the folds also remind people of still waves. Another piece is called “Empty talk endangers the nation, practical work brings prosperity.” The sentence and description are inscribed on a dagger, or bamboo shoot-shaped stone, which produces a sense of firmness and aggressiveness.

    A red stone with “Innovation encouraged, failure tolerated” painted on it also stands out among the rest. The color and shape of the stone make people think of a warm heart. The pattern of a road stretching from the bottom to the top of the stone also gives viewers a positive implication.

    The stones were first exhibited at Shenzhen Book City CBD Store and now can be seen at the auditorium of the Futian District Government. According to Guan, they will be housed at the Shenzhen Museum next year.