Chinese Gardens: History, Design and Meanings

18 Oct 2016

Dr Alison Hardie, former Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Leeds and Visiting Lecturer in the Chinese department at the University of Iceland, will speak on the historical development of Chinese gardens.

On 24 October 2016 (1-2pm) in The Kanaris Theatre, Manchester Museum.

This illustrated talk will cover the historical development of Chinese gardens, relating this to parallel or contrasting developments in European garden history. It will outline the different types of Chinese gardens, including imperial, private and institutional (temple or academy) gardens. It will consider the cosmological ideas and design principles underlying the layout and features of Chinese gardens. Finally, it will discuss the social significations and uses of Chinese gardens, particularly in the late imperial period.

After the talk, all attendees are invited to visit the new Chinese Garden at 180 Waterloo Place, which was officially opened on Wednesday, 21 September 2016.