By Andrea Nicholl
A unique project will bring unconventional beauty to the forefront with a Border City Wabi-Sabi photo exhibit.
A partnership between the Saskatchewan Craft Council, Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre, Signs ‘n More and the art students of ES Laird will make the Japanese inspired exhibit possible.
RaeLynn Lake, cultural programmer at Barr Colony, says the students were excited about the project and snapped hundreds of photos in preparation for the cultural exhibit.
“It really made them slow down and take a real look at the beauty that was there,” she said Tuesday morning, after the neighbourhood photo walk.
“They were so excited, they were very into it and very focussed.”
A group of 23 senior art students from ES Laird participated in the walk, capturing unconventional beauty in manmade and natural objects.
Students were challenged to photograph on the basis of Wabi-Sabi, a traditional Japanese idea based on the acceptance of transience.
Students were encouraged to photograph beauty, imperfection, impermanence, incompletion and decay through the surrounding environment.
“It wasn’t a photography class, this was a photo documentary. It’s about slowing down and seeing the beauty that we have around us,” said Lake.
“It was a great way to ground back into reality.”
Lake says the exhibit was motivated by philosophy and provided the students with an opportunity to get involved in community arts and culture.
“Kids today are brilliant. They’re really deep thinkers and I think that gets missed by a lot of people. They have a lot to say, they have a different perspective on things and that came through on what they did.”
The Wabi-Sabi photo exhibit will be on display at the Harvest Moon fine craft sale Oct. 2 and 3 at the Exhibition Grounds.