Our purpose is to establish an ongoing international dialogue about contemporary displays that will help to promote stone appreciation. We encourage members of the global viewing stone community to create new ways of displaying stones that reflect your life in the 21st century, your regional geology, your customs, craft and culture. Unfamiliar types of stones, bases, accessories and materials are welcome. We are not confined to displaying viewing stones in either the traditional Japanese or Chinese manner. These are options available to us and we should respect and acknowledge the established ways of displaying stones, but they are not the only way. It is timely to explore exciting new options to create stone displays that have bases, display tables, and other accessories that reflect our regional and national arts and crafts.

By Michele Savino, Italy

This volcanic stone with a natural cavity comes from Japan and could traditionally be displayed as a stone with a mirror of water (mizutamari-ishi), by placing it in a suiban and filling the cavity with water. In the unusual exhibition choice presented here, an attempt was made to reinvent the function of the cavity, starting from the formal affinity of this stone with a small bowl, creating a curious piece of furniture, a natural container full of candies to offer and share in company. This stone is 12.5 x 8 x 5 cm.