Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

This morning on a flickr group that shoots a new theme each week, I learned a new-to-me term: Wabi Sabi.

The term comes from two Japanese words: 'wabi' meaning transient beauty and 'sabi' referring to the beauty which comes with age and decay. Together, the term Wabi-sabi combines these two principles to represent the aesthetic beauty found in impermanence and imperfection. See more here.

I photographed the below kerosene heaters in August, before I knew what I now know

(Download)

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Very glad you brought this up, Linda. I got into shooting aging flowers about eight years ago, and I finally did some (pretty brief Google-based) research on wabi-sabi about three years ago, and came up with this summary:

"The concept of wabi-sabi comes to us from Japan. Originally used in a religious context, wabi denoted the loneliness of living in nature, apart from society, and sabi meant “chill,” “lean” or “withered”. Over time, Japan was influenced by the zen buddhism that was imported from China between the 8th and 12th centuries, and wabi-sabi came to be connected to the Buddha's declaration that all things are imperfect, impermanent, and essentially interconnected, and that we must learn to embrace this imperfection, impermanence, and the incompleteness we experience without embracing that interconnection. As I understand it, the aesthetic of wabi-sabi seeks to display the beauty that is to be found in imperfection and impermanence, and thus to help us learn to embrace it and connect to it, so that eventually we can embrace the imperfection and impermanence of our own lives, and to see the connections that constitute it, and to see beauty there."

The Japanese often make very nice ceramics, and then add imperfections to conform to a wabi-sabi aesthetic. Photographs of dilapidated vehicles, buildings, industrial gear, and even whole towns seem to me to fit the pattern pretty well. I've been pretty stuck in it for some time now. I hope you enjoy it.

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

Great example of taking something aging and presenting it artistically for others to enjoy. I love the inclusion of the birds.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Beautiful shot and a great thread, Linda!

Happy New Year!

lnl Loc: SWFL

It’s new to me, but your artistry is always in motion and you show interesting features.

L-Fox

Nothing lasts forever.....

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have a large box full of dried flowers, leaves, grass, seed heads, insects etc. for table-top macro when I am bored or just feeling "creative".

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much for that excellent quote, Sam. I've been admiring your gorgeous creativity for some time, and can now "classify" it

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you very much, Bev. The American Magpies were very cooperative that morning

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much, Mike. Best to you also.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you kindly, Ellen. ctbsam's quote above goes into more detail, and his flickr site has marvelous representive images.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

🥰

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Good idea!

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

Who doesn't love an old barn on the verge of collapse? In the auto world, you have the rat rod...

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Right on, TM, you've hit one of those wabi-sabi nails on the head! They're so lovable they're done almost to death, but most of us still see the beauty and make the connection when yet another one comes around.