Our November meeting is three weeks (November 14), so we still have time to create photographs for the special topic, wabi-sabi. The following is Russ Dohrmann’s explanation of wabi-sabi.

Wabi-sabi is the Japanese esthetic of finding beauty in imperfection, of accepting the natural cycles of growth, decay, and death.

Examples of the “wabi” concept can be found in rustic beauty, age, simplicity, stillness either man-made or natural, or an object with a unique one of a kind flaw.

The concept of “sabi” is represented by objects which are irregular, imperfect or broken, unpretentious or ambiguous.

Design elements of “wabi-sabi” photographs can include cracks and crevices, stains and spots, texture (either inherent or added), or frayed edges.

Frequent materials of “wabi-sabi” images are aged wood, crumpled or man-made paper, patina that comes with age, grungy surfaces, rust, warped or antique glass.

Wabi-sabi photographic subjects can be found at flea markets, cities with an ancient heritage, ghost towns or deserted areas, or junk yards.

Wabi-sabi is a quiet art in which we learn to embrace liver spots, frayed edges, decay, and the march of time.

References:

Wabi-sabi for Artsts, Poets, and Philosophers – book, Normal Koren,1994.

Wabi-sabi, PhotoLife Magazine, Richard Martin, Nov. 2007.

Wabi-sabi, Wikipedia Discussion.