I often think about how imperfections and flaws are part of what absolutely make natural materials so beautiful. This is what makes all of us imperfect humans beautiful, too! The Japanese have a whole aesthetic philosophy that studies and worships this feeling, it's called Wabi Sabi. Like so many Eastern philosophies, the absolute and real truth of Wabi Sabi cannot be written or expressed in words, but words is what I've got, so I'll keep going!
Wabi Sabi is the beauty of imperfections and the fact that everything is passing, transient, temporary. For example, we have a cement wall in the garden that is crumbling. My husband wanted to take it down and make a new one. The horror! I saved this wall from newification and planted around it. Lo and behold, with it's new-found moisture, green algae (a precursor to moss) has begun to grow in the crags of exposed pebbles. A crumbling, mossy wall is a perfect example of what Wabi Sabi embodies. The beauty of Wabi Sabi isn't only about destruction and decay. The beauty lies in the contrast and combination of something alive, new, vibrant with the process of it's decay and destruction AND, it seems to me, that also includes the contrast of decay and destruction with it's renewal, reclaiming, regrowth. There is a beauty inherent to a crumbling, moss-covered wall that speaks to ages and lifetimes past, to the history lived by that wall. Heartbreaking poignance is sometimes so beautiful that we can't even think about it, we can only feel it!
When I use natural materials in my jewelry, art, embroidery, knitting work, I find that I'm more attracted to materials with natural imperfections, or that mimic natural imperfections. I come across this most often when buying semi precious gemstones for jewelry making. Funny that the highest quality stones are more expensive and usually less beautiful. They're uniform, with no accidental veins and specks of other minerals mixed in. There's no color variation between stones. How boring! The more a material mimics the wabi sabi essence of nature (the bumps, the irregular color changes) the more I am drawn to it. Hand painted yarns and C-grade gemstones are perfect examples.
I think a lot of people feel this way, but perhaps we are a minority? If we weren't, then diamonds wouldn't be so popular. I'm always amazed by the gems and minerals collections in museums, those rough rocks with brilliant splashes of color and interesting crystal formations. What's even more amazing is that the perfect, cut gems draw a bigger crowd, are kept in a special dark room with lights for better viewing, and are supposed to be worth more. That is so weird.
The same goes for people in my opinion. I was inspired to write this post by a very inspiring article by Luann Udell where she talks about how the little imperfections in all of us are what make us so beautiful, just as the imperfections in wood like knots and disease make it more beautiful. (Coveted birds-eye maple is wood taken from those giant boles that can grow on the sides of trees where limbs have been cut off and who doesn't love turned wood bowls?) Sure, I talk too much and too often it's about myself, but hey, that's part of my charm, right? So let's all be a little imperfect and revel in our own beauty and in the moments of Wabi Sabi beauty around us!
About the Author:
Jenny C. Hoople of Authentic Arts http://jennyhoople.com/ invites you to visit her blogsite to browse more Authentic Living articles. She writes on a variety of topics including homesteading info, organic and biodynamic agriculture, mind and body wellness, authentic Mexican recipes, book reviews on all of the above and, of course, news from and pertinent to her handcrafted jewelry business, Authentic Arts. http://blog.jennyhoople.com/
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