Mid2Mod: wabi-sabi

Showing posts with label wabi-sabi. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Embracing the wabi-sabi aesthetic

To restore or not to restore? That is the question lovers of mid-century modern design must answer often. We've debated this issue at great length and now tend to buy items for our homes and for the store that do not need major restoration. This is not to say that our pieces are flawless. Very few items survive sixty years without blemish. However, while some mid-century pieces have heavy wear that renders them almost unusable, others have only minor imperfections which tell a story about the previous owners who gently and lovingly used them. This sort of patina makes items all the more beautiful and needs no correction.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese term fo an aesthetic that recognizes the transitory nature of life and the impossibility of perfection. It is sometimes described as a concept of beauty that is imperfect. Characteristics of wabi-sabi include simplicity, asymmetry and roughness or irregularity, especially that caused by time or use.

Mid-century designers espoused simple design and functionality. The spare designs of Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nakashima embodied the simplicity of wabi-sabi and celebrated the beauty in everyday things. It stands to reason that they would have expected their pieces to show wear and signs of age after decades of use.

Mid-century experts today warn against unnecessary restoration. Richard Wright, director of the Wright auction house, gave an example in an interview with Troy Segal of a restoration that reduced the value of a rare Eames piece from $15,000 to $5,000. He says, "A real warning sign is if a piece is too band-box fresh, too gleaming. It should look a little worn, show its age--that's desirable."

From ratioblog.com, about.com and motherearthnews.com