Landscape Idea Of Treatise On Superfluous Things

Under the background of globalization, there is a trend of convergence engendered on the conception of gardening design, with creativity and characters have dried up. To be specific, characteristic landscapes have melted away, and traditional construction methods have faded with the gap which lies in the cultural inheritance. Chinese gardens are regarded as the materialized history and the platform of anthropomorphization as well. Especially in Ming dynasty, the classic landscape design in Suzhou has witnessed such remarkable achievement, integrated with literature, philosophy, esthetics, architecture, painting and calligraphy. Literati can enjoy the comfortable environment and concealed life in Chinese gardens, so as to escape from the complexity and disorder in reality. In this sense, gardening art deservs to be the essential base of study on the human dignity and beauty appreciation in Ming dynasty.On the basis of the theoretical study on traditional landscape, domestic and foreign researchers have mostly focused on the characteristics and history of literati garden. However, the conception of landscape design still needs to be further explored and refined from Treatise on Superfluous Things to a larger degree. Besides the overall planning and specific constructing, the masterpiece illustrates far-reaching conception, graceful taste and literati dignity which are considered essence of gardening. No doubt, the esthetics embedded in Treatise on Superfluous Things reflects the literati's complicated state meticulously, emphasizing the literati's refined lifestyle and graceful disposition under the prosperous economy in southern area. From the beginning to the end of this masterpiece, the temperament and interest of literati in late Ming have been embodied by a series of classic conceptions on gradening esthetics, environmental design and technical art comprehensively. Such literati's plain lifestyle has also been presented vividly, as a symbol of traditional culture in late Ming dynasty.Based on the methodology of modern design and art, this paper systematically analyzes the creation conception focusing on the unique characterisitics of gradening design. Through profound study on the creation principle, life details and interpersonal manners illustrated in Treatise on Superfluous Things, literati's generous feelings have been conveyed perfectly. Inheriting from traditional culture and literature, exploration of literati's mood is considered the theme of contemporary design.In view of this, the studies have been implemented as follow. By probing into the economic, political and cultural background of late Ming dynasty, this paper primarily concentrates on Wen Zhenheng's life, works and gardening practices. "Seclusion Culture", embodied in Chinese classic garden, has close relations with the social characteristics of literati garden in late Ming dynasty. In addition, on the basis of Treatise on Superfluous Things, this research aims to extract the conception of appropriateness-oriented design, exquisite architecture, appreciation of plainness and deep implication. Eventually, appropriateness of creation concept, elegance of aesthetic idea and connotation of ecology ethics have been extracted from Treatise on Superfluous Things. All this innovative concepts exert great impact on contemporary design undeniably.In a nutshell, Chinese tradition and culture is assumed to be the lifeline penetrating the old and modern design, with respect to regional literature, esthetic theory and symbolic patterns. By inheriting the traditional theory of gardening, some enlightened skills and expectations are proposed to stimulate the sustainable development of modern literati gardens, from a realistic and sustainable point of view.