“Mountains and Forests in A Step: Decoding Chinese Garden Design“ Talk
From the splendour of Yuanming yuan to the royal grandeur of the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City, these imperial garden palaces reflect the philosophy of Chinese garden design, where the vastness of heaven and earth is encapsulated within a confined space.
This talk will explore the spatial layout and the cultural connotations embedded in these classic imperial gardens, shedding light on the ingenuity of the ancient people who created them. By delving into the diverse interpretations behind contemporary Chinese Gardens, the talk will also spotlight how the Kowloon Walled City Park, the Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill, and the Lingnan Garden in Lai Chi Kok have become cultural landmarks through an artful fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. This talk will further examine how the essence and heritage of Chinese Gardens are realised in modern life. From architectural design to lifestyle aesthetics, and cultural creativity to urban planning, it seeks to inspire a fresh perspective on the enduring relevance and future of traditional aesthetics.
Date & Time
24/5/2025 (Sat)
2:30 pm–3:30pm
Venue
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium, Hong Kong Palace Museum
Fee
Free
Language
Cantonese
Speaker
Dr Christo Lau Yu Yat
Dr Christo Lau holds a Doctor of Education degree (with Distinction) from Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia in Spain, a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Leicester in the UK, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Design Culture and Theory from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She also completed a Diploma in Special Education Needs from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, specialising in the practice of perceptual education and creative learning. Since 2000, Dr Lau has been teaching at various higher education institutions, including the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Design Institute, and the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity. Her teaching areas encompass design culture, visual arts, design thinking, as well as environmental and spatial studies. Recently, Dr Lau has been dedicated to a creative arts education programme geared towards children and youth and has been promoting perceptual arts education that integrates personal growth and creative thinking.
