Wabi-Sabi
Text (August 2021) and photography (July 2021, July 2019) by Christian Speck.
Optimized for mobile. Use desktop view for the best design experience.
Optimized for mobile. Use desktop view for the best design experience.
Probably I have lived the Wabi-Sabi philosophy unconsciously all my life.
What is «Wabi-Sabi»?
A shy and careful definition for artists and creators.
«In traditional Japanese aesthetics, Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) is a world view, a wisdom and philosophy centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.» [1]
«The Wabi-Sabi aesthetic is sometimes described as
one of appreciating beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.» [2]
The Wabi-Sabi philosophy can (but doesn't necessarily have to) lead to simplicity and minimalism.
«The Japanese view of life embraced a simple aesthetic
that grew stronger as inessentials were eliminated
and trimmed away.
- architect Tadao Ando[5]
that grew stronger as inessentials were eliminated
and trimmed away.
- architect Tadao Ando[5]
Leonard Koren [2] (1994, 2008) describes the main characteristics of the Wabi-Sabi universe as follows, with a few additions by the author.
All (‘all’ is better than ‘everything’, Wabi-Sabi is not limited to materialized things), comes into being and passes away; there is no beginning and no end. All is in transient flow; all is impermanent and
incomplete.
Values
Truth is coming from nature, take your time to observe it carefully. There is beauty everywhere, within everything, even coming from ugliness.
Thinking
Accept the inevitable. There is no perfection. All is perfectly imperfect - even the universe.
Rules
Get rid of all unnecessary.
Keep it as simple and minimalistic as possible.
Ignore material hierarchies.
Do not compare to others. Comparison and competition are the thiefs of joy, creativity and happiness.
Focus only on the essential and really important. Ignore the rest.
Do not aim for perfection, you will never reach it.
Emotional connections to your art and the stories behind are much more important than sterile technical perfection not standing the test of time.
Use what you have, be humble. Make something out of it.
Focus on your process and enjoy every moment of your journey.
Simply create. Enjoy. Grow.
Keep it as simple and minimalistic as possible.
Ignore material hierarchies.
Do not compare to others. Comparison and competition are the thiefs of joy, creativity and happiness.
Focus only on the essential and really important. Ignore the rest.
Do not aim for perfection, you will never reach it.
Emotional connections to your art and the stories behind are much more important than sterile technical perfection not standing the test of time.
Use what you have, be humble. Make something out of it.
Focus on your process and enjoy every moment of your journey.
Simply create. Enjoy. Grow.
Attributes
Natural. Imperfect. Incomplete. Simple. Minimal. Humble.
There is another good explanation of Wabi-Sabi for everyday life at Savvy Tokyo [6].
Chestnut tree, black & white; July 2021
Chestnut tree, monochromatic colour; July 2021