Exploring Wabi-Sabi in Sydney

I've discovered a book written by Leonard Koren, describing the Japanese aesthetic concept of Wabi-Sabi.

http://www.leonardkoren.com/lkwa.html

I'm starting to understand that Wabi-Sabi is a sort of ancient manifesto of how to see and be in the world. It has influence from Zen Buddhism and loves the observation of the imperfection of nature, in it's wane or in it's growth.

According to Leonard Koren here is a summary list that describes the Wabi-Sabi universe:

"Metaphysical Basis: Things are either devolving toward or evolving from, nothing.

Spiritual Values: Truth comes from the observation of nature. Greatness exists in the inconspicuous and overlooked details. Beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness.

State of Mind: Acceptance of the inevitable. Appreciation of the cosmic order.

Moral Precepts: Get rid of all that is unnecessary. Focus on the intrinsic and ignore the material hierarchy.

Material Qualities: The suggestion of natural process. Irregular. Intimate. Unpretentious. Murky. Simple."

A concise and inadequate English translation of the concept without going into the depth of the whole area is the word 'Rustic' according to Koren.

As an exploration of these ideas, I'm going to find examples of Wabi-Sabi in Sydney, where I live and document them here.

There will be a lot of irony here - I'm not taking this too seriously, but I do think that this imperfect position is probably 'Wabi-Sabi'.

Grass Obscura - Not the Grassy Knoll Bondi, but a patch beside the North Bondi Surf Club.

Is 'Grass Obscura' Wabi-Sabi?

I had the concept in mind when I took this photo. What I was trying to capture was the movement of two little ants carrying food and crawling around in this patch of grass. We were sitting at Bondi on a Sunday during the 'Festival of the Winds' and the beach and surrounds were packed with people. But, in this little moment, on the grass, were these two ants going about their life. It reminded me about how we must keep life and this moment in perspective. But then, the iPhone5 camera has only managed to keep some of the image in focus.

It's possible there is a statement in this 'rustic' image, about how it's not quite what was intended, but the spirit of Wabi-Sabi was present in the process of documentation.

I always think the best moments in life are undocumented.

As a professional documentary filmmaker, I've been able to film some extraordinary, serendipitous moments, but in my own life - the truly profound moments are always undocumented.

I look forward to your comments BTW. Here's another example, I wonder if you agree?

Feature Wall at Bills (Bondi Beach) Sept 14 2014

Is Feature Wall at Bills Wabi-Sabi?

Excusing the artefacts on the lens, again - damn this iphone5, but 6 is on it's way this week.

Anyway, is this wall an example of wabi-sabi aesthetic? It's kind of western mid century folk. I'd nearly say it was rustic, but for me, this might not be in keeping with wabi-sabi, in that it's placement in context is too contrived. But, it's reaching for a kind of modernist rustic. It definitely wants to be warm and sort of personal, it favours wood, there is a depiction of nature and it's sort of ugly, although the colours and overall effect is idiosyncratic. I'm borderline about this.

What is Wabi-Sabi - a video summary by Amy Frasca!

What is wabi-sabi?

Here's a quick review of Leonard Koren's book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers. In this video I suggest an example in Sydney and ask you to upload your own examples of #wabisabi .