Wabi-Sabi Links • Free Workshops

5th Annual Wabi-Sabi Exhibition

With its exhibition in June of “Thousand Facets of Wabi-Sabi”, the Center is celebrating its fifth annual exhibit on this theme. Because this concept is particularly resonant with the O’Hanlon philosophy, the Center is highlighting the occasion with a series of projects to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the experience.

Introduction
To understand Wabi-Sabi, we have to grasp the concept that beauty is not in the object, but rather in the experience of it, - the mood, the atmosphere, the feeling it evokes, - a feeling that even the Japanese refuse to try to define.
Its scope is not limited to art but becomes an overall approach to life, to the magic of everyday living. In essence, it invites us to quiet contemplation, encouraging us to slow down, look closely and be patient.

Some of the elements involved are:

A less-is-more mindset, seeking simplicity, naturalness, restraint, appreciating the inconspicuous and unpretentious.

Attention not to what we have made or bought, but to what is there, what has been there all along, perhaps, without our notice. And noticing it!

An acceptance to turn away from our culture’s “straitjacket of perfection”(which leaves no room for the imagination) and turn instead to the mystery and uniqueness of the imperfect, the flawed, the incomplete. A respect for the inevitability of change, an aesthetic sensibility that finds a special beauty in the impermanence of all things.

Wabi-Sabi Links
For further information and a broader perspective, the following references are suggested:

Background on Wabi-Sabi concepts
http://nobleharbor.com/tea/chado/WhatIsWabi-Sabi.htm

Comprehensive essay on Wabi-Sabi
http://www.hermitary.com/solitude/aesthetics.html

Photography
http://www.stillinthestream.com/files/index.htm

FLICKR Wabi-Sabi photo groups
www.flickr.com

Haiku
http://rrpowell.homestead.com/files/blogger.html

For Writers
http://www.stillinthestream.com/files/wabisabiforwriters.htm

Designers
http://www.nextmaruni.com/e/concept/concept_3.html

Japanese aesthetics, Wabi-Sabi and the tea ceremony
http://www.art.unt.edu/ntieva/artcurr/asian/wabisabi.html


FREE Wabi-Sabi Explorations Workshops

All are offered free of charge and will take place at the O’Hanlon Center at 616 Throckmorton, Mill Valley (415) 388-4331. Register early to assure a place.

But what is wabi-sabi?
Monday evening April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
A dialogue and open discussion of the meanings, scope and possible interpretations of the concept.

Wabi-Sabi words
Saturday, April 26, 3-5 p.m.
POETS CB FOLLETT & DUFF AXSOM
Drawing on natural materials found on the O’Hanlon property, and our own imaginations, we will experiment with different written forms, feelings and interpretations.

Ideas for what to bring

O'Hanlon Center has an adequate supply of different papers and other materials, but you might want to bring your own supplies to construct, alter, rearrange etc.

• String, cord, wire, thread, fabrics, interesting papers, nails, fasteners, scissors, small paint brushes , glue, Elmers, Duco cement , pens, indelible or not, different widths, needles, exacto knife, acrylic paints
  
  
• Poems or writings – yours or others.  Can be any subject, but in keeping with Wabi-Sabi, e.g. writings that have observations about the natural world.
  
  
  

Wabi-Sabi Sounds
Monday, June 16, 7 p.m.
POET, SCULPTOR, MUSICIAN, DAN HARDER
Scavenging the Center’s property for unexpected “instruments,’ and/or bringing our own “inventions”, we will pluck the strings of our findings, celebrating the “simple” and “imperfect” wabi-sabi sounds that can be coaxed from non-traditional materials.

The program is generously underwritten by Michael Tarnoff, O‘Hanlon Board President .