Aesthetics and Politics




The man of tea learns of it quickly : a long-neck jet black vase has a different aura from a simple open and refreshing bamboo vase.  Why do we keep the room empty ? Simply to give space to imagination ? Any item keeps the mind busy. Across history, powerful politicians have always understood this, one way or another. « Beauty » is a sensibility that varies with cultures and fashions. To change our conception of the beautiful, of the agreeable, is to change our approach of the world.



Aesthetic is politic

During the Momoyama era, a kind of Japanese Renaissance compressed in a handful of years, Sen no Rikyu ruled over aesthetic — according to some historians. The man who wanted every warlord to bow as he entered the tea room set the social tone to modesty of mean, dark colors and rustic simplicity. Some say that Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the great lord of the time, supported Rikyu in his actions. Others say that he saw in the Tea master’s aesthetic power a true menace for his society of magnificence. To invite the people to be more modest or to invite them to party, to decorate the streets with shinning colors or with dull temples. That was the question.

In the Western world too, the question of aesthetic had its importance. Just think of the never ending debate on publicly representing the divine and sexuality. Christianity was shackled by these problems many times — from the iconoclaste crisis of Byzance to the Reform through the languorous paintings of the Renaissance. Each time, a certain idea of society was reflected in the mirror of art.



The one cup revolution

And in the world of tea, how many ways to serve ? How many atmospheres changed by a ceramic choice ?  I have always served my guests with a different tea bowl for each. It introduces the idea of strong individualities. Each guest is unique, each has a tailor-made experience. In Chinese tea gatherings that I have witnessed, it was the opposite : we were all served in similar cups. We were living the same experience. We were equal. Some would say that such detail is not so important. I tend to think that they are just not very receptive to their context…but are changed by it, subtly.



Our daily life and us

If such a tiny cup can change everything, what should we think of our architecture ? All of this is intensely political. The way we decorate, we inhabit. The way we inhabit, we think — and, continuing : ways of chatting, singing, engaging…

In such conditions, it seems difficult to think that a choice in decoration, music or perfume is simply a matter of « personal taste ».
So, I look around me, in my own society. I hear music with electronic tones, people drinking chemical drinks at parties, people watching nervous movies…And I wonder, what it say about us and our politics. I wonder why so many people are afraid of forests and addicted to air conditionner.  Why to serve tea seems so boring to some while spending an entire night looking at pictures on each other’s phone, seating on a multicolor teddy bear under a gloomy neon light, is a normal group activity. Why are we living the way we are ?



Comments

Post a Comment

If you like it share it !

Popular posts from this blog

World creation by Sasaki Kyoshitsu

Image
Sasaki during our last firing at Shoraku About two weeks ago, I asked Sasaki-sensei to make two tea bowls. The first one had to be made for his personal use, the second for his family. None of them should be made to be sold. What did he understood of my words ? I have no idea. Nevertheless, he started to make four bowls… Later, he would explain that it was a way to make sure that at least two would survive…but each bowl he made was different. One of these tea bowls will be my « ceramic » conclusion to this internship. Master’s style Sasaki-sensei il a smiling and sweet man, convivial and fond of bright colors. He loves shiny green glazes, chalk white shoes and the Japanese tapas bars where saké is overflowing.   A black or a red raku tea bowl is not exactly the perfect expression of his character. One can feel it in Sasaki’s works. His creations alternate between classic dark/red and colorful essays. Sasaki's tea bowls Before our last firing, I th
Keep reading

Chakaiki — A new invitation to wanderings

Image
After our last firing, Sasaki-sensei and I prepared tea together. In ancient times, tea people would write down records of their tea ceremonies and of the most important pieces they saw. It was called a chakaiki . This is a modern chakaiki with pictures and commentaries. Tokonoma — white boats and blue beauties All of this trip was made possible thanks to the help of Alex Kerr, a famous american writer in love with Japan and expert in —at least— calligraphy. As Sasaki’s friend, he accepted me in his old house full of treasures, only forty minutes by bicycle from the workshop —and that was the closest house ! My legs will certainly remember the seven endlessly uphill kilometers that I had to ride every morning in the mountains. But my heart will surely also remember Alex Kerr’s generosity. Before I left the house, Mr. Kerr offered me one of his calligraphy. He signs his works instead of using a stamp — I think that is his way of playing between Western and Eastern trad
Keep reading

Japanese Scent

Image
Melody in wood I still remember my first trip to Kyoto. It was in July. One day, while some scattered rains washed the trees and refreshed the airs with a soft wind, I entered the walls of Nanzenji, one of Kyoto’s famous temples. The great gate and its darkened wood pillars exhaled a perfume close to incense and moss. A top note, sparkling and emotional, came from nose to eyelashes like tears of joy. Then an earthy wave, the middle note, fresh and light like a breeze among the oaks. And finally, for the base note, a deep blow of sliced wood, low and rich, rough on the palate and caressing on the nose. I never forgot that perfume of Nanzenji. To me, it is typical of central Japan. I think I mentioned it a lot before. I had to, eventually, give it a proper homage. The missing history of perfumes Tanizaki said that Japanese aesthetic plays on shadows to suggest things rather than to show them. I never read anything about the smells of Japan. Yet, more so than shadows,
Keep reading