The beauty of everyday life

“Night” handwoven cloth

The last few weeks I divided my time between Soetsu Yanagi’s book “The beauty of everyday things” and the loom. Few books have resonated with me as much, helping translate scattered thoughts into words and objects.

‘If it is our ideal to live in a world surrounded by beautiful things, in a virtual Kingdom of Beauty, then we must raise the ordinary things of our daily lives to a higher level” (quote from Soetsu Yanagi’s book)

The ordinary. The things we touch and use everyday.

“Utilitarian crafts have been looked down on as something of a lower rank. As a result, our aesthetic sense has been severely impaired owing to the fact that beauty and life are treated as separate realms of being. Beauty is no longer viewed as an indispensable part of our daily life” (quote from Soetsu Yanagi’s book)

Weaving allows me to do just that. put beauty back into everyday life. Who is to say that a tapestry hanging on the wall is more precious than a poncho that warms AND delights? Why should one be labeled as ‘art’ and ‘precious’ and the other referred to as ‘just clothes’? Why do we look at a piece of ‘art’ and ask ourselves what is the idea behind it and ignore the thoughts, wishes and symbols embedded in the simple things we use everyday. Granted, not all objects are worthy of this kind of attention. Some, maybe even most are just a reflection of market demand. Of the quick, the cheap and the popular. But handmade objects, the ceramic cups, the woven rug, the embroidered shirt. Why are they looked down upon as merely ‘crafts’? These are the objects we can enjoy every day with our morning coffee, sense against our skin each time we breathe. Does it make any sense to think any less of them because of that?

“Day and Night” handwoven poncho

Musical shapes

April 21st, 2015.Our last night in Kadoyde, Japan. To celebrate the end of our stay, Kobayashi, our host prepares yet another surprise. A sky lantern. He holds the large paper lantern while someone lit the fire beneath it. 

For a few seconds, all seems well. Then slowly, the lantern catches fire, and its shape disappears while its spirit emerges.

This reminded me of  Constantin Brancusi, the Romanian sculptor and his view on capturing the essence of things.

"When you see a fish you don't think of its scales, do you? You think of its speed, its floating, flashing body seen through the water... If I made fins and eyes and scales, I would arrest its movement, give a pattern or shape of reality. I want just the flash of its spirit"

And if it's the essence of the fire dance we are after, there is no need to look further than de Falla's 'Ritual fire dance' who does it with sounds rather than images.

Fire dance #1, lighting the lantern

Fire dance #7, The end

and a colored version ...Fire dance #3 by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

Cultural Tapas

Seeing my work in print, alongside such great photographers is such a wonderful feeling. Proud to share with you the newly published issue of Israeli Lens, this month revolving around cultures around the world. Click the image below to browse it, and take a look at my Japan photo essay as well.

Enjoy

Sakura. Photographed in Kadoyde, Japan April 2015 by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

The closest I ever felt to God - Japan 2015

Just returned from a 2 weeks trip to Japan. A once in a lifetime opportunity to immerse myself in traditions as old as civilization, meet people who live in true harmony with nature.

While it will take months for all the experiences to sink in, there are moments which were so rare, so precious - I need to capture them in here. Not that I think they will disappear, it is more of a hope that by sharing them, I will understand them better.

Late afternoon, almost evening in Kadoide. A small village in North Japan, no one but its inhabitants know it. We live in a restored traditional house, at the edge of the village. Surrounded by mountains, trees and a river. Dinner is almost ready when I look out of the window and see we are wrapped in clouds. Without much thinking, I grab the camera, put on the coat and the shoes (you never wear shoes inside a Japanese house) and go outside.

For about 30 minutes, until darkness covered the mountains, I walk around taking photos. Everywhere I look, the world looks surreal. It's like walking on clouds, heaven, earth and me becoming one. The closest I ever felt to God. 

A bend in the road - Kadoide by Amy Kanka Valadarsky

The bridge - Kadoide by Amy Kanka Valadarsky