HKU Bulletin October 2012 (Vol. 14 No.1)

Arts and Culture The Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1279–1368) dynasties were important times for the development of ceramics in China, with refinements in glazing and new demand for decorative items enabling potters to inject new finesse and imagination into their wares. Fine examples of these refinements are on view now until November 25, in an exhibition running at the University Museum and Art Gallery, entitled The Multiplicity of Simplicity: Monochrome wares from the Song to the Yuan dynasties . The exhibition comprises 118 ceramic pieces on loan from eight private collectors, with some pieces from the museum’s own collection. The wares range from delicate, subtly decorated bowls and dishes to larger vases and garden jars, many of them in the classic white or green (celadon) colours popular at the time. The aim of the exhibition, according to the former Museum Director Yeung Chun- tong is “to bring out the role made by the monochrome porcelain of the Song and Yuan dynasties and to establish the status they deserve in the cultural history of China.” Tina Pang Yee-wan, Curator of the Museum, says: “Song is the classic period for ceramics – it’s a period that comes up again and again through the subsequent dynasties as having been the ideal in terms of Chinese classicism for ceramics. That wasn’t necessarily true at the time, but as we look at it with a contemporary eye, the really noticeable development about the period is that it was a turning point – a transformation in terms of technology and aesthetics.” Progress had begun in the preceding Tang dynasty (618–907), and two Tang stoneware jars are included in the exhibition. While appearing rather crude next to the fine Song and Yuan pieces, they signal later developments in the bold experimentation with abstract decorative effects in the glaze. Simply Exquisite An exhibition at the University Museum and Art Gallery offers a rare opportunity to view wares from the most exciting periods in Chinese ceramics. ô õ ö ÷ ø ø ù ú û ü ý þ ÷ û ÿ ø ÷ ú û ö û ü ÷ õ þ ÷ û û ÷ õ $ <DR]KRX FHODGRQ PHLSLQJ YDVH FDUYHG ZLWK ÀRUDO GHVLJQV 1RUWKHUQ 6RQJ G\QDVW\ ô ú þ ø ÷ ÿ ü ø ÷ ú ø ø ÷ ÿ ú ÷ ú û 6RXWKHUQ 6RQJ G\QDVW\ ô û ü ÷ ö û ü ÷ õ ÿ ÷ ORWXV SHWDO GHVLJQ 6RQJ G\QDVW\ ô ú þ ô û ü ÷ ö û ô õ ö ÷ ø ø ù ú û ü ý þ ÷ û ÿ ø ÷ ú û ö û ü ÷ õ ô ø ø ù ø $ <DR]KRX FHODGRQ ÀRZHU VKDSHG ERZO ZLWK DSSOLTXpG SLVWLO GHFRUDWLRQ 1RUWKHUQ 6RQJ G\QDVW\ ô þ û ÷ õ þ ø õ ø ÷ õ õ û ú þ ÷ û û ÷ õ õ 43 October 2012 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin