Wabi Sabi_Text_QXD:Wabi Sabi_Text_QXD 9/2/11 4:22 PM Page 138
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Flooring and tiling. There are now an abundance of different natural stones available in tile form that can add a natural feel to floors or tiled walls. The old flagstones found in English cottages are a perfect example of how the uneven worn surface of the stones can complement an interior. Contemplation stones (natural stones/rocks that have a pleasing shape). These can be found out in the countryside. Carboniferous limestone, igneous rocks, and also rocks found in the desert are well suited to the aesthetics of wabi sabi. Garden features. Large rocks strategically placed in either gravel or vegetation and asymmetrical stepping-stones have long been used in Japanese garden design. When designing a Japanese garden in the U.K. we found a large stone whose shape, texture, and color we particularly liked, but it was difficult to use in its original form. We asked a stonemason to cut it in two and then to hollow out the top of one half so that it could be used as a water feature in the garden (see the illustrations on pages 70 and 72).
Clay
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Clay holds center stage in the history of wabi sabi, and although a degree of knowledge is required to mold and fire clays, there are still an abundance of interesting pieces that can be bought either new or secondhand. As discussed in the section on pottery, there is a deeprooted dedication to pottery in Japan, and every conceivable effort has been made to bring its aesthetic potential to full fruition. To undertake the study of Japanese pottery is a long-term commitment, and mastery in Japan may still be difficult to transplant to other countries. However, for those interested in finding wabi sabi pieces of pottery, there are a variety of sources that exist outside Japan, and seeking them out can indeed be an exciting affair. As wabi sabi is primarily interested in the artless and the humble, the first port of call, as with textiles, are the countries where local craft is often a substitute for modern technology.