Lovely photography! I agree, it's really hard to capture the spirit of Stoic wabi sabi...it was hard for me trying to find a photo to go with my post. But I think both the stairs and the rocking chair are wonderful examples. They are at the edge of the manmade and the natural, and both evoke the passage of time. And they meet all Koren's other suggested elements, like "they inspire a reduction of psychic distance between one thing and another thing; between people and things" and "small, secluded and private environments…enhance one’s capacity for metaphysical musings."
You've set yourself quite a challenge but this is a really inspiring and beautiful journey!
Koren has a great way of capturing the essence of wabi sabi in his writing. I love that "reduction of psychic distance"! I am just starting to realize how monumental of a challenge it is to understand and express these ideas. It seems like something I could devote a lifetime to. I'm also finding that the ideas are in mind now as I'm doing other photography projects. I went waterfall chasing again and was actively looking for Wabi Sabi Stoic elements along the way!
Thank you for your comments, they are always very helpful and much appreciated!
I love the depth of thought you've given this. The presence of aesthetics in our world is indeed indifferent in Stoic philosophy, but that doesn't mean it's wise to ignore aesthetics, not if you think they might be working on us in subtle ways. There's an untaken branch of my life that I didn't take for various reasons, in which I tried to create a hybrid psychology-sociology field of science investigating the effects of aesthetics, ratios, and physical stimuli like car noise on the human psyche and society. Given how important we used to think this all was, it's a shockingly underinvestigated field.
That's a really exciting idea Andrew! I've read about certain compositional elements like the rule of thirds or the golden ratio and how they essentially subconsciously appeal to us. It makes perfect sense that there would be a psychological basis for that and therefore affect us both physically and societally. Sounds like a related rabbit hole I want to explore! Thank you!
Not knowing of Wabi Sabi before this day, all I can think of is Phillip K Dick and his love of seemingly meaningless details that he thought were messages from god. That the entire situation could turn on a discarded half-used book of matches.
We don’t have books of paper matches any more, but back in his time they were commonly found lying on the sidewalk etc. PKD’s need to look at the hidden details seems similar to what you’re looking for.
When I’m hiking I like to stop and look deeply at the patterns groups of leaves make, or the differences in heights of grass stalks. There’s an entire universe of details no-one notices
So true, Tim! The more I work on this project, the more I find myself looking for those unnoticed details all around. Wabi sabi is those small details that capture a beautifu/sad/minimalism. I'm not familiar with Phillip K Dick, but definitely sounds related.
I find your blending of wabi-sabi and stoicism very beneficial, Erik. For me, wabi-sabi reminds us the world is "messy" and we should avoid the pursuit of "perfection" which can be harmful. Stoicism reminds us the world is largely uncontrollable and we should avoid being control freaks which can be harmful.
Really like the way you're applying these principles to your photography practice. 👏
You’re an impressive person with a beautiful mind brother. You sharing this exploration of one of your passions combined with developing interests is fascinating. Looking forward to the next one!
Haha, thanks so much Kyle! Glad to hear that this is worthwhile to others and not just some highly personal obsession. I'll try to keep it interesting!
Beauitful photos Erik! Long before Wabi Sabi became a thing, the great 20th century photographer Irving Penn, published a book titled "Flowers," that featured some stunning flower photography that included flowers that were past their prime. I loved that book, had a copy and it was stolen. It was a great inspiration to me then, in the mid-80's and still today.
I love the old growth on the stone steps in black and white. Inspiring work, my friend.
Fascinating Erik. It is interesting when different groups come around to common ways of thinking about the world (convergent evolution?). I think I am struggling most in imagining Stoic aesthetics - I look forward to learning more.
Yes, Stoic aesthetics is something I haven't studied, and so have much to learn. I've seen a book title or too addressing it, though. The ancient Stoics probably didn't make it a major point of the school because appearances are 'indifferent', but I do think it is in there. The big problem is that the vast majority of Stoic texts that we know existed have been lost.
Lovely photography! I agree, it's really hard to capture the spirit of Stoic wabi sabi...it was hard for me trying to find a photo to go with my post. But I think both the stairs and the rocking chair are wonderful examples. They are at the edge of the manmade and the natural, and both evoke the passage of time. And they meet all Koren's other suggested elements, like "they inspire a reduction of psychic distance between one thing and another thing; between people and things" and "small, secluded and private environments…enhance one’s capacity for metaphysical musings."
You've set yourself quite a challenge but this is a really inspiring and beautiful journey!
Koren has a great way of capturing the essence of wabi sabi in his writing. I love that "reduction of psychic distance"! I am just starting to realize how monumental of a challenge it is to understand and express these ideas. It seems like something I could devote a lifetime to. I'm also finding that the ideas are in mind now as I'm doing other photography projects. I went waterfall chasing again and was actively looking for Wabi Sabi Stoic elements along the way!
Thank you for your comments, they are always very helpful and much appreciated!
I love the depth of thought you've given this. The presence of aesthetics in our world is indeed indifferent in Stoic philosophy, but that doesn't mean it's wise to ignore aesthetics, not if you think they might be working on us in subtle ways. There's an untaken branch of my life that I didn't take for various reasons, in which I tried to create a hybrid psychology-sociology field of science investigating the effects of aesthetics, ratios, and physical stimuli like car noise on the human psyche and society. Given how important we used to think this all was, it's a shockingly underinvestigated field.
That's a really exciting idea Andrew! I've read about certain compositional elements like the rule of thirds or the golden ratio and how they essentially subconsciously appeal to us. It makes perfect sense that there would be a psychological basis for that and therefore affect us both physically and societally. Sounds like a related rabbit hole I want to explore! Thank you!
Not knowing of Wabi Sabi before this day, all I can think of is Phillip K Dick and his love of seemingly meaningless details that he thought were messages from god. That the entire situation could turn on a discarded half-used book of matches.
We don’t have books of paper matches any more, but back in his time they were commonly found lying on the sidewalk etc. PKD’s need to look at the hidden details seems similar to what you’re looking for.
When I’m hiking I like to stop and look deeply at the patterns groups of leaves make, or the differences in heights of grass stalks. There’s an entire universe of details no-one notices
So true, Tim! The more I work on this project, the more I find myself looking for those unnoticed details all around. Wabi sabi is those small details that capture a beautifu/sad/minimalism. I'm not familiar with Phillip K Dick, but definitely sounds related.
PKD- The writer behind stories like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and a lot more.
Ah, gotcha! I’ll have to look into him some more!
I find your blending of wabi-sabi and stoicism very beneficial, Erik. For me, wabi-sabi reminds us the world is "messy" and we should avoid the pursuit of "perfection" which can be harmful. Stoicism reminds us the world is largely uncontrollable and we should avoid being control freaks which can be harmful.
Really like the way you're applying these principles to your photography practice. 👏
Thanks Baird! That's a very good way of comparing the two concepts!
You’re an impressive person with a beautiful mind brother. You sharing this exploration of one of your passions combined with developing interests is fascinating. Looking forward to the next one!
Haha, thanks so much Kyle! Glad to hear that this is worthwhile to others and not just some highly personal obsession. I'll try to keep it interesting!
Beauitful photos Erik! Long before Wabi Sabi became a thing, the great 20th century photographer Irving Penn, published a book titled "Flowers," that featured some stunning flower photography that included flowers that were past their prime. I loved that book, had a copy and it was stolen. It was a great inspiration to me then, in the mid-80's and still today.
I love the old growth on the stone steps in black and white. Inspiring work, my friend.
I'm going to look up Irving Penn. I bet his work is online somewhere and sounds like it could be related. Thank you so much Pamela!
Fascinating Erik. It is interesting when different groups come around to common ways of thinking about the world (convergent evolution?). I think I am struggling most in imagining Stoic aesthetics - I look forward to learning more.
Yes, Stoic aesthetics is something I haven't studied, and so have much to learn. I've seen a book title or too addressing it, though. The ancient Stoics probably didn't make it a major point of the school because appearances are 'indifferent', but I do think it is in there. The big problem is that the vast majority of Stoic texts that we know existed have been lost.