Soulful Dialogue Garden

Quzhou, known as the second hometown of Confucius, boasts a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. While numerous Confucius sculptures adorn the city as individual pieces, our goal is to create a unique public art space that offers community to engage with ancient philosophy. we have themed the design around the concept of dialogue and created three granite sculptures. These sculptures symbolize the humility expressed in the saying from the Analects, "In a group of three, there is always one from whom I can learn." The abstract design allows them to represent ancient sages or our contemporaries. To enhance the concept of dialogue with the profound, we chose pure black Chinese black granite as the material for the sculpture. We applied different treatments to the front and the side of the sculpture to create a sharp contrast. On the front, a polished mirror finish reflects the silhouette of people, inspiring them to recall their original intentions. On the side, the design features rough stone treatment, evoking a sense of the imprint of time on the rock. We can witness Confucius imparting wisdom in the Apricot Grove. Therefore, our public art proposal not only includes three granite sculptures but also incorporates surrounding natural landscapes, allowing the sculptures to harmoniously blend with the environment. The sculptures serve as the focal point, enclosing a sunken space for meditation and dialogue. Residents can sit here for reflection or organize events like reading, singing, and learning. The edge of the sunken circle is made of white granite, separating the external traffic space from the internal resting space.