Kintsugi & Architecture
We are born into this world, thrust from the wombs of our mothers as babies, a blank slate. Tabula Rasa in all aspects. We are perfect. Free of judgement and the desire only for safety, food and comfort. It is strange then, that as we age, we constantly attempt to return to that state of perfection, in essence seeking to go backwards. Blemish and wear are seen in the negative light. We hide behind makeup and photoshop. The Art of Architecture has also been a historic quest for the perfect form. The perfect ratio. The perfect urban redo. Instead of embracing the cracks, we demolish and start anew.
In Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery, when a vessel breaks it is repaired with gold or other precious metals. This repair forever alters the appearance of the vessel but treats its crack or blemish as something to be celebrated. The imperfection is part of the perfection. Flaws are elevated. Perhaps we should examine our psychological need to hide the blemished parts of our history and why that is so. In an urban fabric, instead of disguising or destroying a piece of the city (or of a building that is no longer functional,) why not repurpose it? Something worn and neglected can become beautiful and special with a little care and Kinstugi. This ‘scarchitecture” in cities can be repaired in creative ways rather than demolished and redone. The layered nature of the urban fabric is part of its intrigue.
A revised outlook on the longevity and function of the building as well as how to deal with wear can lead to a more sustainable field of architecture. However, there is less room for ego in a world where salvage and celebrate takes precedence over demolish and build fresh. But the idea of “fresh” is a myth. There is no such thing as truly new and “fresh.” The lot, the land, the site all have a history. When Christopher Columbus discovered his “New World,” there was nothing new about it. New is in the eye of the beholder. The scarred edifice of a building that needs to be worked on or demolished was once fresh and new. Tastes and functions have changed but why not adapt rather than destroy. The direction of the Field of Architecture is a reflection of the values of society at large. In recent years, there has been a new subculture of consumers who purchase and give new life to luxury vintage handbags and clothing; older buildings or urban centers should have the chance at a second life. History needs to be given its due respect and creativity can be focused on the kintsugi of architecture.
Kintsugi showcases flaws as beauty.