I know I'm biased by my obsession with the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, but this is ridiculously beautiful to me! If I could reproduce this on my ceramic, I'd be in heaven! The stains from paint, mortar, stucco, and pollution remind me of the surprising beauty found on wood fired raku ceramics. ORGANIC! Imperfect and beautiful! Call … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Eight – Imperfect Beauty
Montreal Walls Project – Seven – Giving In To Wabi-Sabi-ness
I had to walk by this spot on the wall several times to get a sense of what I was seeing. This recently closed hot-dog joint was closed and the wall next to it's take out window is being repaired. First by removing the hideous aluminum covering... this is what's underneath: decades of patchwork repairs … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Seven – Giving In To Wabi-Sabi-ness
Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Somewhere around the 1970s, the building were getting surfaced with yellow bricks; not bright yellow, of course, which would have been spectacular to see, but these warm, beige bricks with a hint of yellow in them. While the grime of urban pollution could be easier to wash away from these bricks, it seems the graffiti … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Six – Not All Bricks Are Red
Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
While the most common bricks in Montreal are of a warm red, there are also a great many made of a terra cotta mixture. When they are dry, they show only subtle variations in colour, but after the rain has touched them they explode with variations. This wall reminded me of a cherished story my … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Four – Uncovering Natural Variations (Thank you, Dad!)
Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal is over 375 years old and the original city was build with hand hewn stones often quarried near the waterfront. These building stones can still be found in the foundations of the oldest buildings. These look and feel of these stones is so indicative of the architectural history here that you can also see … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Three – Remnants of The Old City
Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
To the naked eye, the bricks will appear dulled by pollution and grime, but visit them right after a refreshing rainfall; just before the sun is starting to dry them and you will find the perfect reds: warm, velvety, delicious reds! You will just have to touch them... (Circa October 2019) - Back in the … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – Two – Wabi-Sabi Reds
Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
(Circa October 2019) - Back in the fall of 2019, when I was still attending classes in person and working in an office, as opposed to my Covid-free basement office, I started walking around the downtown core and noticing the subtle and beautiful effects of age on the walls of my city, Montreal. This coincided … Continue reading Montreal Walls Project – One (Introduction and the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic)
The New Renaissance Mindset 