Everything you need to know about the meaning and philosophy and DIY tutorials.
Wabi Sabi: what is the meaning of this Japanese philosophy?
The Wabi Sabi philosophy celebrates imperfection, fleetingness and everyday life. Stress, consumerism, pressure, the instinct towards the search for perfection and self-improvement characterize life in the Western world. On the contrary, supporters of the Wabi Sabi philosophy live in harmony with nature and its incompleteness.
The meaning of Wabi Sabi comes from Buddhism. Consequently, the three characteristics of existence, namely impermanence, pain and the so-called "ego belief" are present in all phenomena. The words behind Wabi Sabi refer precisely to this impermanence. At first they were considered negatively; “Wabi” was, in fact, translated with “solitude”, while “Sabi” with “to be old”, “to wither”. Today the two concepts are interpreted positively, as they are associated with "quiet" and the "grace of the elderly". The Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi therefore indicates the esteem of the elderly and the beauty of the simplest and most imperfect things, while the search for material goods and absolute perfection constitute the common thread of an unsatisfied life.
The philosophy of Wabi Sabi has been practiced in Japan for centuries and is now also conquering the artistic and design scene of the Western world. Our world of architecture has also come into contact with this concept, just like art and interior design. Here Wabi Sabi establishes itself as a new trend, as happened with Vintage and Shabby Chic.
Wabi Sabi: the new trend in design and art
The Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi calls for a change of perspective: instead of surrounding yourself exclusively with perfect things, you should learn to appreciate what is imperfect. This attitude is also found in the Wabi Sabi style, which is established in interior design, art and architecture. But what distinguishes Wabi Sabi in individual sectors?
Wabi Sabi in art:
The aesthetic principle also conquers the world of art and photography. Representatives of this philosophy seek to recognize beauty in imperfection and to capture and celebrate it in images. Some images convey a feeling of melancholy and intensely expose the decline and fleeting nature of everyone's life. Wabi Sabi art very often identifies the representation of things or nature. Other works of art also show organic or abstract forms that lack symmetry. As for color, Wabi Sabi art is firmly oriented towards natural shades of white, beige, green, brown and blue.
In our tutorial we show you how to combine the individual elements of Wabi Sabi to create an abstract work of art. Wabi Sabi art never has to be flawlessly executed, but is intended to amaze with exciting and unexpected elements. Therefore, your masterpiece does not have to stick 100% to any rules or templates. Thanks to our instructions, as if by magic you will quickly create a unique design object with peculiar characteristics:
