Art, textiles, perfection etc

[oursin]

This afternoon to the British Museum to see Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan, which is lovely - well worth the seeing.

Thoughts:

The far less rigid art/craft division that seems to be part of Japanese culture.

The combination of traditional forms and techniques with more contemporary techniques and themes.

Textiles are so a significant part of their

Comments

[ex_greythist387]

Re: deliberately marred perfection, add to the list the small deviations in ninth-century Irish interlace (knotwork, etc.)--Book of Kells, brooches, etc.

[oursin]

Yes, of course! Thanks.

[redbird]

You may be thinking of wabi which, if I recall correctly (and I am no expert and don't speak Japanese), is an imperfection that adds to the beauty of an object. It's slightly different from what you describe, in that I don't think it needs to be intentional, and I don't think there's the concern about blaspheming by attempting perfection nor yet about trapped souls.

[oursin]

There were some objects for which a roughness or irregularity of shape or finish seemed to be part of the intended effect (possibly traditional?).

[egretplume]

Some Japanese pottery traditions value the scorch marks of the kiln fire as a beyond-human contribution, as elemental beauty, as zen serendipity. (my rough approximation of my rough understanding of the actual Japanese philosophy of beauty in nature). Sometimes they leave pots buried for years to let the elements beautify them.

The exhibit looks wonderful.

It is

[angeyja]

entirely un-usefull. But I really liked the original post you did. (hugs)

Re: It is

[oursin]

Thank you! {{{Hugs}}} back.

[aquaeri]

Even though I'm a westerner, I've always felt more comfortable with the Japanese approach to art/craft. I dislike the snobbery and often, misogyny, in making a big deal about there being a distinction, here in the West.

Your musings about perfectionism are thought provoking even if they don't go anywhere particular.

I have a strong perfectionistic streak myself, and when I was younger, I did try to make things perfect. But, at least when I work, it's impossible. I think the state I've reached now is healthier - I don't deliberately introduce imperfections (that strikes me as incredibly arrogant) but the imperfections that are there anyway become part of what I like about the finished whatever-it-is.

I'm enjoying your posts on textiles

[florence_craye]

Mmm, I would love to see that exhibit! Majoring in textiles in university, we hashed out the art vs craft theme many times. Non-western art has such a wonderful concept of textiles and craft as art and therefore as important as any woodcuts or more "fine art" type pieces.

Gendering of crafts is apparent in many societies, even sometimes to the steps of processes themselves. I remember studying a group in Africa where shaping the pottery for use was the women's job and firing it was for the men to do. Most artists presently working in textiles in the West are women, and I think for good reason.

Many textile artists today are working with new materials (techno textiles) but still deal with the art vs craft issue in many ways. Personally, I prefer the past traditions and enjoy using them more than the recent explorations in fibers, dyes, and processes. I'm open to exploring the new methods, but the ancient techniques and forms that combine history and craft/art are much more satisfying for me to experience.

Re: I'm enjoying your posts on textiles

[oursin]

We also looked in very briefly to the African galleries (museum closing time rushing up on us) and there were some fascinating textile items there: including one that was incorporating strands of Lurex!