(IN)VISIBLE v.3 by Evelin Fung Zhong

(IN)VISIBLE

Compiled & Illustrated by

Evelin Fung Zhong

Background The Astor Court Garden is one of the many cultural rooms that The Metropolitan Museum offers for its visitors. This project was made possible by the Vince Astor Foundation, as one of the museums trustee, Brooke Russell (wife of Vince Astor) suggested to have a garden court that would provide a change of setting for visitor that has passed by the conventional galleries in the museum. This court garden is the first permanent cultural exchange that the United States and the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China, and it was built by workers of both nations. In the Chinese garden court culture there are many styles and variations, this specific one was inspired by a small courtyard in Suzhou (a city near Shanghai) and there are various elements that were brought to the United States from this city. There are many elements and concepts present in the garden court, but there is little information present in the museum for visitors to understand the placement of objects or the details within them. This book will serve as an aid for visitors and garden court enthusiasts to understand even more the Astor Court Garden and includes design proposals to further improve the space.

Moon Gate 月連們

Yin and Yang is an important way of thinking for the Chinese.We can see the counterbalance between a circular entrance followed by a rectangular one.

The concept of Yin and Yang will be seen in many other areas of the Garden Court. Another example even before entering the court is how the outside is bright,the foyer is dark, light again by the sunlight garden and once again dark in the Ming room.

A very common style of entrance for many Chinese gardens and courtyards. In archaic seal scrip Tan You meaning in Search of Quietude.

Covered Walkway 走道

The Ming Room, designed to go with the Astor Garden Court to showcase Ming style furniture and the way that they interact with each other.

Important element of a Garden Courtyard.

This type of structure guides the user through the important places and gives refuge from the rain and sunlight. Yet, it still gives freedom to the visitor to roam around the area.

More of the Lattice Pattern windows.There are four types at the garden court.

It is not a straight path, it is shaped like a “bamboo shoot”–visual pun of the surroundings around bamboos. This almost zig zag style of path gives the viewer differentperspectives of the place when moving. Railing, gray terratocotta tiles all made in

1978 except pillars on either side of steps as these were rescued from an old garden in China.

Half Pavillon 半亭

Called like this as a normal pavillon would have two entrances facing each other.

This type of curved roof is so rain can fall off easier and more sunlight can enter.This type of form is related an ascending phoenix, a mythical bird that isthe counterpart of the dragon and is associated with prospertity.

This curved chairs are called Beautiful Lady Balustrade, as it makes the female body react in a graceful manner when sitting.

Small pond, water is an important element in any garden court, as most of them are built around this.

Plaque with name of Pavillon: “Leng Quang Ting”, Cold Spring Pavillon. As this represents the desire of having fresh water from streams during spring time.

Viewing Rocks 太湖石

To create a bigger contrast and create more light within the garden court, bigger windows with the same Lattice Patterns would make the view more intriguing. It would also create a more direct dialogue between the rock and its background.

The Viewing Rocks are meant to be seen and create a sense of introspection to the admirer. But these rocks almost merge with the background.

Roof

ĺą&#x2039;é &#x201A;

Getting inspiration from both the lattice pattern and the nature that is present in the garden, a better unity would be created if the roof is made out of organic panels instead of a grid.

By having sinous lines instead of a grid, it would reciprocate the organic and curve lines that constantly appear in elements such as the Half Pavillon and plants.

MY CHANGES

Moon Gate 月連們 In the opening of the Astor Garden Court there weren’t any figures outside of the Moon Gate. In recent visit to the hall, there are two qilin (麒麟) figures , one at each side of the entrance.

麒麟 - Qilins, are hybrid creatures, mix of a lion, fish and a deer. It is often associated to serenity and prospertity, as they are often seen in pairs, guarding the entrances of important buildings.

Moon Gate ć&#x153;&#x2C6;é&#x20AC;Łĺ&#x20AC;&#x2018; There are a lot of plants both physically and methaphorically in the court, thus I believe that sculptures of a flower or plant would be a give a better balance to the sapce.

The usage of the qilins are not appropiate to the space, as the court follows the principles of the Yin and Yang, and there is not another element to create the counterbalance to these creatures.

Moon Gate 月連們

The usage of the qilins are not appropiate to the space, as the court follows the principles of the Yin and Yang, and there is not another element to create the counterbalance to these creatures.

There are a lot of plants both physically and methaphorically in the court, thus I believe that sculptures of a flower or plant would be a give a better balance to the sapce. Or another option, is to use this type of Lotus flower sculpture that can be seen in Summer palaces and courtyards in China. As the Lotus flower is a symbol of hard work as the plant must rise above from the muddy waters to find sunlight and to blossom its beautiful bud.

Half Pavillon ĺ?&#x160;äş

Ponds are very important as they provide the element of water to gardens and courts. Even more, they give the visitor another point of reflection. Thus, the pond must be make bigger to make this element stand out and create a balance between the rock surface and water surface.