photos by an imperfect example of human impermanence... fran gardino
Wikipedia:Wabi-sabi (侘寂) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience.
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Robyn Griggs Lawrence in Natural Home Magazine:
"Emerging in the 15th century as a reaction to the prevailing aesthetic of lavishness, ornamentation, and rich materials, wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all."
Andrew Juniper in his book Wabi Sabi:
"Rooted firmly in Zen thought, wabi-sabi art uses the evanescence of life to convey the sense of melancholic beauty that such an understanding brings."
The first 300 words from
Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren:
“Wabi-sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional.”
http://www.stillinthestream.com/files/wabisabihaiku.htm
"It is first and foremost a beauty seen in aged or worn objects; objects that contain deep patterns, patina, character, or qualities of authentic individuality."
Leonard Koren, Utne Reader:
"All things, including the universe itself, are in a constant, never-ending state of becoming or dissolving."
Karen Olson:
"Once you discover wabi-sabi, the art of imperfect beauty, you may be tempted to analyze the wabi-sabiness of your life and everything around you."
Robyn Griggs Lawrence from The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty:
"Wabi-sabi is the marriage of the Japanese wabi, meaning humble, and sabi, which connotes beauty in the progression of time."
The following lyrics were adapted by Fran Gardino from Frank Zappa's Wowie Zowie song...
Wabi Sabi Baby you're so fine.
Wabi Sabi Baby please be mine.
I don't even care if you trim your weeds.
Wa-abi, wabi sabi, wa-abi, wabi sabi.
Wabi Sabi Baby you're so fine.
Wabi Sabi Baby please be mine.
I don't even care if you mow your lawn.
Wa-abi, wabi sabi, wa-abi, wabi sabi.
Wabi Sabi Baby you're so fine.
Wabi Sabi Baby please be mine.
I don't even care if you rake your leaves.
Wa-abi, wabi sabi, wa-abi, wabi sabi.
Wabi Sabi Baby you're so fine.
Wabi Sabi Baby please be mine.
I don't even care if your yard's a mess.
Wa-abi, wabi sabi, wa-abi, wabi sabi.
and finally, a special thanks to my long time artist friend Mary Langevin,
prolly the most creative and impermanent woman I know, for introducing me to wabi-sabi.
www.frangardino.com