Wabi Sabi as a part of the interior design niche has been gaining popularity in recent years. It’s often connected and combined with minimalism and Nordic ceramics. But the style has been out there for centuries. Its meaning and influence are much deeper than you may think.
Lifestyles and interior design styles are often intertwined. This is also the case in the concept of Wabi Sabi. First of all, it represents a way of living and world perception. Secondly, ceramics, as well as other kinds of art used in interior design and made in this style depict this philosophy greatly,
The main topic of this article is to explain and appreciate the meaning or the secret of this style. You’ll find much more in a cup or vase with imperfect forms and corners the next time you see one.
What Is Wabi Sabi Style?
The question is easy to ask, but the answers are plenty. A mere type of interior design? No. Only a Buddhist philosophy? No. Only represented in Japanese culture? No. Only plain ceramics? No.
Wabi Sabi is a philosophy of “wisdom in a natural simplicity”. It’s about finding aesthetic pleasure from looking at imperfect things. It’s about meditating on objects that have been used for a long time and have chips, cracks, and other details that other cultures may underestimate or deem faults.
A simple, natural, imperfect ceramic vase is a nice representation of the style, worldview, and philosophy of wabi sabi. You can also get a better idea of the style by contemplating the following:
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Imperfections as factors that add quality;
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Aging signs as a quality;
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Seeing marks from the creation process as the natural art itself.
When you see a small crack that time or creating process has given to a wabi sabi element, it’s not a drawback. It’s a precious sign of the wear and use the object has sustained. An imperfection of shape on a teacup, which makes it not round but a bent oval of sorts is an advantage.
The deeper you get, the more this philosophy represents the true meaning of all things – uniqueness in their differences.
If you think about it this way, humankind has a lot to learn from this style, that is if we’re striving towards a more ethical, inclusive world. Our differences due to life experience or background shouldn’t be considered flaws, but unique features.
The Origin of Wabi Sabi
Most people think that the style originated in Japan. The name agrees with this opinion, but history does not. In fact, the philosophy takes roots in the Chinese Buddhist tradition. It represents the three marks of existence:
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Impermanence;
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Suffering;
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Emptiness.
Don’t perceive these as dark marks. Wabi Sabi is all about modesty, intimacy, simplicity, and natural looks.
The Meaning of the Name
The name consists of two words:
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Wabi.
The natural, simple state of an object. This doesn’t mean perfectly polished with even coloring. Instead, it’s rough, with signs of being made by hand. In ceramics that means it’s mis- or discoloration, cracks, texture, simple shape that doesn’t have to be ideal. Absolutely natural, just like our bare skin with pores, wrinkles, and pigmentation. -
Sabi.
The life of the object, the signs of its history, wear, and use. This attribute is represented in worn sides and edges, chips, cracks, etc. Sabi means the thing is not permanent. Durable but not to last forever. Appreciating transitory time, realizing and accepting it are some of the philosophical sides of sabi.
As you can see, it’s much more than minimalism. It has a historical and philosophical twist to it. It may seem quite dark at first, when you realize that the life of every object and person will eventually end. But as you accept life as it is, lots of fears will dissipate.
Use Wabi Sabi ceramics in interior design if you want a therapeutic effect in addition to the aesthetic one.
If you want to see wabi sabi art please visit Wabi Sabi art FriendlyArtC
