ModernFolk

September 28, 2011

ModernFolk

WABI-SABI IN OJAI

From Wikipedia: Wabi-Sabi is described as an aesthetic which includes asymmetry, asperity (roughness or irregularity), simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy and appreciation of the ingenious integrity of natural objects and processes. Wabi originally referred to the loneliness of living in nature, remote from society; Sabi meant "chill", "lean" or "withered". Wabi in present times, connotes rustic simplicity, freshness or quietness, and can be applied to both natural and human-made objects, or understated elegance. It can also refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction, which add uniqueness and elegance to the object. Sabi is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object and its impermanence are evidenced in its patina and wear, or in any visible repairs.

In the lovely town of Ojai, CA, a new shop is evolving. ModernFolk Living (Curated Goods) is the brainchild of Wanda Weller Sakai a seasoned design professional, incorporating the simplicity of wabi-sabi into each "curated" object.

Mrs. Sakai, former Design Director for Patagonia and currently, a lecturer of fashion design at Otis College of Art and Design, imagines her boutique as a "destination for inspired products, hand selected with you (and the environment) in mind"...offering beautifully designed, artisanal goods that blend natural materials with modern designs and functionality.

She also offers her space for gatherings. In Spain, such places are referred to as "tertulias"; gathering places for conversation, discussions, poetry and other types of community meetings. And in this case for classes and just "hanging out" in the Living Room.

Upon encountering Wanda, you might describe her with such adjectives as, earthy, unpretentious, authentic and natural - much like the clothing and objects she selects.

Within the elegant shop, you will find lovely glass vases and glassware, Heath Ceramics, hand-made greeting cards, silken handwoven cashmere and cotton clothing, books and magazines with design as subject, and many more enticingly beautiful selections.

While the meaning of wabi-sabi is elusive, each word has roots in the spiritual world. Sabi could be defined as impersonal form, while wabi seems to be the space surrounding form. If this is so, then we might describe Modern Folk Living as a space where customers travel through time, meander from one item to the next - discovering the essence of Mrs. Sakai’s philosophical choices.