艮岳:奢华缥缈难成观止

Genyue: Luxurious and Visionary, but not a Masterwork

艮岳的建造其实处于内忧外患之际,又因强制性经营而显得仓促与缺乏从容。它的存世时间只有5年,很快就荡然无存,甚至寻找不到遗迹,人们只能通过太多溢美之词的《御制艮岳记》才对它有一点间接的模糊了解。因此,近来对它的大加赞誉,其实是建立在对其别梦依稀一般奢华景观基础上的盲目崇拜。900年来,艮岳本身给中国园林留下的主要印象只是奢华的缥缈,其最具特色的垒石叠山造园技艺也并不具有开创性,因此事实上少有垂范后世之经典的实际效果。

Genyue was constructed during a turbulent time, but was in a rush and restless due to the compulsory operation. It existed for only five years and soon disappeared without any trace. It could only be vaguely understood through The Imperial Genyue that spoke highly of it. The recent praise of Genyeu is based on the blind worship of its dreamy, luxurious and visionary landscape. For 900 years, Genyeu leaves an impression of visionary luxury on Chinese garden. Genyue's most distinct technique of piling up stones and hills is not creative, so actually it isn't a legendary masterwork.