Narratives of Imperfection

Christina Stadlbauer

Narratives of Imperfection is a series of explorations on repair, healing and transformation. The exhibition shows selected works that are part of a long term research with Kin Tsugi. This technique is a 16th century Japanese craft of visually mending broken ceramics where the crack or fault is emphasized and embellished rather than hidden. Kin Tsugi follows the philosophy of Wabi-sabi – a world view centered around the acceptance of transience and imperfection; beauty is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.” Traditionally, Kin Tsugi shines beautifully gold or silver; underneath it uses urushi, a plant-based adhesive. Narratives of Imperfection expands the concept and practice of Kin Tsugi with different materials.

Narratives of Imperfection was exhibited at the exhibition space SOLU in Helsinki, Finland and at ARS gallery in Tokyo, Japan, in November and December of 2019.

Narratives of Imperfection - Exhibition

When is something worth being repaired? How does the repair transform the object and the owner of the object?

There is a ritual aspect in the work of Kin Tsugi that emphasizes process over outcome; aesthetics rather than functionality.

The emphasis lies in the amelioration of objects and situations. It is about transformative repair.

For progetto Corale, please see the work Corale Kin Tsugi.

Chapter 1: Value, Urushi and Gold

Chapter 2: Ceramic Scar Tissue -

healing instead of glueing

Chapter 3: Kin Tsugi gestures - durational performance

please see here for more details!

In Ceramic Scar Tissue, the idea of amelioration is taken to the living world by introducing the concept of healing. Instead of glueing ceramics with urushi polymer, the broken pieces are united by bacteria and the growth of a “scar tissue” joins the surfaces of the fragments.

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