Wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a Japanese world view which is centered on imperfection and the passing of time. A kind of beauty that’s incomplete and elusive, yet
fundamental.
The concept is based on the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering and emptiness. Characteristic for its aesthetic is asymmetry, roughness and simplicity – and a recognition of all natural objects and processes.
The “wabi-sabi way of seeing” is central to the Swedish-based street photographer, Jesper Blomqvist. His interest in the plainness of reality can be found in all of his recent works. The Buddhist concept therefore gives us viewers a possible map of interpretation to his pictures.
Presented in this catalogue is a series of close-ups from the inside of dumpsters. It’s a follow up to a project where Jesper Blomqvist macro-portrayed another everyday urban object – electrical enclosures – which finally became a renowned exhibition and a book (utan titel, EklundhPaglert förlag, 2012–2013).
Both of these photographic series proves how beauty can thrive in the most unexpected places – you just have to know what you’re looking for. The pictures in this catalogue is a clear message of this.
We hope that you’ll enjoy this unconventional documentation – a true tribute to the beauty of random imperfection.