Wabi-Sabi Me
Wabi-sabi means looking for beauty in things that are not new and shiny. Rust, wrinkles, cracks in pots, chipped paint. Well that's us! This is a call with my other 62+ MBA classmates (there are eight of us in total) who are in a masters program at Georgia State University. We each shared how the younger students seem very appreciative of the experience and wisdom we bring to our classes.
Assignment
Wabi-sabi means looking for beauty in things that are not new and shiny. Rust, wrinkles, cracks in pots, chipped paint? That’s where you’ll find the beauty for this idea that comes from a Japanese concept that centers around acceptance of imperfection and impermanence, 侘寂 . And this is a tenet of our 52Frames project, to embrace imperfection. This week, we ask you to seek this beautiful imperfection in the world around you. For those who prefer antiques to modern decor, you have a head start! We are always looking for beauty as a photographer. Wabi-sabi allows you to narrow your view and expand your definition of what is beautiful. If you've never looked, we think you're going to love what's waiting in an otherwise forgotten corner of an old building or a field with a rusted fence or old farm equipment. Beauty remains where we often think it's past its prime, of little benefit. What’s great about a challenge like this is that whether you use a phone, a drone, or something in between, technique is up to you. And if you look around and see nothing “old or broken but beautiful,” maybe you can dig into the back of your closet and see what beautiful surprises you've long forgotten about. Don't separate beauty from ugliness, for there is beauty in all that we see.
