23 October 2010

SHADOW PRAISE

In Praise of Shadow by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki is a book implying the ideals of the national Japanese character. The subtle life lived in shadow by the traditional Japanese has forever changed my perspective on the decay of material and the western push for science without design. It poses this unique questions: What would it be like if the Japanese were the first to design the toilet? Would it be made of wood so that with every use the splinters and rot would make you aware of that distinct experience? Would it place your feet in grass and draw your eyes toward a beautiful landscape? Is our world being designed and built for a much younger, faster generation without consideration for the elderly? Is there as much appreciation for handmade material and imperfection, especially when observed under the brightest fluorescent light?