Lantau Peak will soon be enhanced by a large-scale wooden inscription display featuring renowned Chinese artist Professor Jao Tsung I's work Heart Sutra.

The display will be ready early next year, allowing visitors to appreciate this unique piece of art in this spectacular natural setting.

The project's construction has started, and a display of the design can be viewed at Hong Kong University until October 30. The exhibits include physical models showing the layout of the timber obelisks, an explanation of the design concept and information on the carving process.

Wood work: The Heart Sutra Inscription Project's overall layout design originates from a mathematical symbol representing infinity. Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng and Hong Kong University Professor Lee Chack-fan view a display of the design.

Public offering

Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng said Professor Jao has made outstanding achievements in both academic research and art and is highly regarded locally and overseas.

"Professor Jao has presented this piece as a gift to the public. We will, in a unique way, present his original calligraphy in the form of a large-scale wood inscription display in an outdoor environment to enable the community at large as well as overseas visitors alike to appreciate this masterpiece and the meaning of the Heart Sutra," she said.

The project involves the inscription of the Heart Sutra calligraphy onto 38 timber obelisks up to 10 metres tall. Ancient Chinese writing used to be inscribed on bamboo tablets, and the new inscription will resemble this ancient tradition.

Infinite style

Hong Kong University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Lee Chack-fan said the project is an art piece which embraces both Chinese culture and philosophy, and a manifestation of Professor Jao's achievements.

The project's overall layout design originates from a mathematical symbol representing infinity, to symbolise the concept of immeasurable splendour and eternity. The timber log to be installed at the top of the slope will not be used for carving in order to exemplify the idea of 'emptiness' to signify the concept of 'no attachment and hindrance in minds' as described in the Heart Sutra.

The location and height of each obelisk has been carefully planned according to the natural landscape of the selected site.

For enquiries on the exhibition, call 2241 5598.