“In traditional Japanese aesthetics, Wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”. It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence (三法印 sanbōin), specifically impermanence (無常 mujō), suffering (苦 ku) and emptiness or absence of self-nature (空 kū).”
When Sarah and arrived in Monte Carlo, we quickly made mental note that we wanted to visit the Jardin Japonais de Monaco. When we arrived, we noticed that while the garden was designed to be a specific way, it couldn’t be more imperfect. The structures were not symmetrical, the gardens were off center, and there were lines and squares and cubes mixed with circles, ovals, and asymmetrical ponds. It’s really not what you think when you think of the Japanese. The garden couldn’t be more representative of the Wabi-Sabi style within Japanese landscaping. It got me thinking that as much as I like structure and symmetry, my life couldn’t be more “imperfect”.
I started exploring some more this idea of Wabi-Sabi and my good friend Emily had told me about this place she stumbled upon when she last visited Mexico. On the Oaxacan coast in Mexico, there is a non-profit artist residency called Fundación Casa Wabi just down the road from the romantic boutique hotel, Escondido, that she stayed at when it first open not too long ago. The residency was started in 2014 by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi as a place to promote collaboration and social commitment through art. The foundation adopts the concept “Wabi-Sabi”, which represents a vision of the world focused on the acceptance of the ephemeral and the imperfect.
Few would say that this is really a moment in which perfection is popular. To be honest, we are in a world of the unknown and it couldn’t be more imperfect. With the growing popularity of blockchain, people will now have to get used to using digital currencies as a way of paying for things and simply living their day-to-day lives. That means cryptocurrencies, ICO’s, and token sales are changing the way we purchase goods, make investments, and raise capital for the companies that we start. If you haven't been following ACTAI Global (formerly MaiTai Global) the kiteboarding organization I am apart of has been on the forefront of everything blockchain for the past few years now with their annual Blockchain Summit hosted on Necker Island with Richard Branson. What a crazy imperfect time to be alive!
Coco Wears: Vintage Towel Dress, Vintage Straw Bag, Saint Laurent Earrings. Photography: Sarah Son. Location: Monte-Carlo, Monaco. City Guide: Monte Carlo