wabi-sabi

I've been turning over the notion of wabi-sabi in my mind -- especially its three simple realities, which are: nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect. Wabi is about rustic simplicity applied to both natural and handmade objects. It's about understated elegance. Sabi connotes the beauty and calm that comes with age, where you can see its impermanence, made visible in its worn qualities and patina.

This aesthetic resonates in my heart, my belief system, and my work. I've discovered there is a name for the things I am drawn to -- the photographs I take of wildflowers at the edge of the wood and decaying flora in my garden. Our treasured, imperfect pottery made of clay from Blue Hill in Maine, which we call our wedding china and eat off of ever day, as every day is worthy of celebration. As they chip and break over the years I am not distraught -- we are enjoying them now in this life. The chips and cracks show our use of them, intertwined with love; we know we can't take them with us and eventually they will return to clay again -- is there anything more beautiful? The antique and thrift stores where I can spend hours sifting through other people's discards -- the more imperfect, quirky and original, the better the find. I am drawn to peeling paint, rusting metal, old musty buttons, antique door hardware, worn marble steps and banisters in Paris, and in New York. Handmade objects stroke a tender place in my heart, especially when they are tied to a nature theme. Delicious food made from easily attainable, simple ingredients. The old farm table we eat our meals at, made of boards salvaged from a fallen barn in Ontario that was constructed in the 1800's. My brownie box camera, polaroid and holga cameras. My antique bed, made by hand in the early 1900's, signed in an inconspicuous spot by the craftsman in a flourish of graphite. The simple, raw, rugged beauty around us is what matters. And there is peace to be found in the acceptance of the natural transience of all things physical. That's wabi-sabi.

I ask myself how I can more mindfully apply wabi-sabi to the way in which I carry out and perceive the moments of my life. In doing so, I have made a New Year's resolution to embrace simplicity. Take away, to make room for the things that matter. I have devoted my upcoming Wishstudio column post to this very subject, and will link to it as soon as it is posted at the Wishstudio site.





Sharing:

I have added a new section to the sidebar of my blog called art in motion. I have a passion for films off-the-beaten path and have constructed this links list of some of my favorites. I hope you will enjoy them.

The latest Somerset Studio magazine contains my article Simple Gifts, about the treasures to be found and given whilst in the act of blogging.

Happy New Year lovelies ♥

wabi-sabi