Jay Z

Kintsugi.

Traditionally, Kintsugi is the act of repairing cracked or broken pottery with a gold infused glue, leaving a golden cracked pattern throughout the object.

The ideology stems from the aesthetic philosophy, Wabi Sabi, which in turn is deeply rooted in zen buddhism.

The core principles of wabi sabi can be summed up in the statement that everything is impermanent, imperfect and incomplete. Therefore any irregularities and what may traditionally be considered a flaw, are actually celebrated as distinctive characteristics instead of berated.

It is a philosophy often associated with architecture, design and other aesthetic endevours, but is also easily applicable to the human condition.

The subject.

The subject matter, musician Jay-Z, released in 2017 the album 4:44. The album is a hard look at self, it is honest and self critical, Jay-Z dropped his ego and it yielded a beautiful dialogue. Shining a light on your shortcomings is hard on our ego, but I honestly believe that our perceived flaws can be construed as strengths, or at the very least, an opportunity for growth. But in order for that to happen, they must not be hidden. The purpose of the painting is to illuminate that point of view.

Material.

The painting support is a solid plank of ethically harvested mahogany wood, (mahogany is an endangered wood) chosen for it´s undisputed stability. Imported from Costa Rica. After being treated and prepared with the brass inlay it is coated with a layer of traditional oil gesso, containing oil, titanium and marble dust.

It is, from start to finish, constructed with the utmost regard to longevity and stability. it follows the procedures of classical works of art that have proven to be the most enduring.

On a personal note.

our perceived flaws set us apart from the rest, they give us distinction. And really, they’re what makes us unique.

That’s a concept that has proven hard to grasp for my self, i get it on an intelectual level, but habits are strong and allowing this new believe to permeate through to my emotional level involves a lot of letting go, in my case it’s about letting go of certainty and letting go of control. I strive for perfection, for me the absence of flaws, perfection, gives me a sense of control of the outcome.

The intolerable contradiction for me is that the higher the level of certainty i acquire, the more bored i become. Certainty is predictable, its uneventful and lacks variety, it’s the emotional equivalant of ikea, it’s boring.

So far, this balancing act has consisted of me rocking ferociously between the two, building precise, secure bridges, becoming bored and burning them down for the sheer excitement.

A more ideal way would perhaps lean into the middle of the two.