According to NV Multi Asia Group founder and managing director Datuk Kong Hon Kong, 50% of the gallery is done and the RM30mil project is expected to be completed by July 2012.
“The planning started three years ago and the construction began last year after we made trips to China to gather information.
“With the stone gallery, we hope that the heritage of Chinese culture can be passed on.
Relaxed ambience: The stone gallery will also be a scenic spot perfect for a tourist visit. “Wealth can be acquired but it is a rare chance to gather talented people; we are blessed to have a team of academics who are passionate about Chinese culture,” he said.
He added that upon completion, the gallery will be open to the public and admission is free.
“I believe that this will be a tourist attraction,” he said, adding that they plan to organise activities such as calligraphy competitions at the gallery.
NV Multi chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, who is also the Chinese Calligraphy Stone Gallery committee chairman, explained that the tablets recorded major historical events and ceremonial recitals.
Serene setting: The gallery will feature 150 to 200 tablets and steles. “What we have collected is not just from one period or dynasty but samples of calligraphy from 4,000 years ago to the present day.
“We have selected the best to be displayed, from oracle bone scripts to semi-cursive writings,” he said.
He added, “From calligraphy, you can understand how the Chinese word Han evolved from the oracle to what you have in the present form.
“Know the calligraphy, and you can understand what happened in the past.”
According to Fu, the gallery will feature 150 to 200 pieces altogether.
“There are also collections of masterpieces of famous calligraphers like Wang Xizhi and calligraphy by famous people such as Mao Zedong and Sun Yat Sen.
“There will also be masterpieces from over 40 local calligraphers who have passed away as well as samples of calligraphy from Korea and Japan.
“It will become an important cultural and tourist attraction
“This can also be a learning place for students of calligraphy or Chinese studies,” he said.
NV Multi is the main sponsor and owner of the spot and it is being supported by various associations such as academic, artistic and calligraphac associations.
Fu said the replicas were sculpted in China where the craftsmen could refer to the original artifacts.
“Compared to writing on paper, it is a difficult task to inscribe on stone as one needs to emphasise the different strokes
“We go through stringent quality control to make sure it reflects the original form and spirit of the masterpieces,” he said.
Culture connoisseur Dr Lai Kuan Fook, who was also present at the press conference, said, “Calligraphy is not only a form of communication but art as well.
“Every calligraphy piece has a story behind them, we plan to publish books about it,” he said.
He believes that the stone gallery will be the most comprehensive collection of calligraphy.
“In China, the biggest calligraphy is in Xi’an but it only focused on the Tang dynasty whereas we have writing samples starting from the Oracle Bone scripts.
“Millions has been spent to construct the landscape; the stone gallery will not only be a cultural place but a scenic spot,” he said.
Much thought has been given to the design of the gallery. For example the replica of Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi’s Introduction of Lanting Caucus (aka Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion) is accentuated by a statue of Wang, a man-made stream, geese statues and a pavilion.
This is because he composed the poems at a pavilion and his writing style was inspired by the movement of geese.
One can also understand the social and culture of a certain era through calligraphy. For example, the calligraphy on the steles during Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s time is neat and uniformed, denoting that the people live in an orderly manner and adhere to rules.
Other replicas include the Mount Langya Stele was erected to eulogise Qin Shi Huang’s achievements, an Oracle Bone inscription from Shang Dynasty, the Yi Ying Stele erected during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Duke Mao’s Cauldron that was exacavated in Qishan, Shaanxi during the Daoguang period, Qing Dynasty.
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