Bridge #4: SEMINAR

Sarah Miner

November 5th, 2017

Integrated Seminar 1

Bridge Project #4

Recently through a sustainable systems class I learned about an art repair method known as kintsugi and instantly became mesmerized. Kin meaning gold tsugi translated as joinery, the name meaning quite literally “to join with gold”. Kintsugi originated in Japan in the 15th century; the story goes Ashikaga Yoshimasa dropped his favorite tea bowl and broke it into multiple pieces, in desperation to fix his beloved tea bowl Yoshimasa sent the bowl to China to be repaired. Days later when it was returned Yoshimasa was devastated and upset by the ugly silver staples that had been used to attach the broken pieces together. He handed the bowl off to his employees and insisted a better looking way to fix his tea bowl, that is when they came back with the now known method of kintsugi. Yoshimasa was not only pleased with the way his tea bowl looked but also the message behind it. The idea behind the method isn’t to change the broken object but instead embrace the flaw and turn it into something beautiful. “The repair method was also born from the Japanese feeling of mottainai, which expresses regret when something is wasted, as well as mushin, the acceptance of change.” (My Modern Met Team 2017, 1). This repair method strays away from the traditional sense of the word, it is described more as its own art rather than fixing others art.

There are three methods to Kintsugi repair. The first being the crack method, which is described as the most traditional. In this technique gold dust and flour glue is used to attach the broken pieces together, this creates gold looking veins throughout the pottery. The two pieces are first glued together using a flour mixture and set to dry in a kiln for a couple days. Once dry the edges are sanded down and ready to apply the gold, which is delicately painted along the line of the crack and the flour glue mixture. Once again the pottery is set aside in a kiln to dry. The second method is known as the peice method and also known as “Makienaoshi. This method is used when a piece of the pottery is missing entirely. The gold lacquer is used to fill the whole missing spot in the pottery. Last method is called joint. This method is very different because instead of repairing a broke piece of pottery you use pieces from all different pottery and then kintsugi in order to attach all the pieces together. This creates a unique one of a kind plate or bowl ect.. And is just as beautiful as the rest.

Typically the metals used in kintsugi are gold and silver, however you can use metals such as brass and aluminum. Over time this technique has gotten increasingly popular and has influenced many artists, not just with the method but because of the philosophy behind it. “Kintsugi is the general concept of highlighting or emphasizing imperfections, visualizing mends and seams as an additive or an area to celebrate or focus on, rather than absence or missing pieces. Modern artists experiment with the ancient technique as a means of analyzing the idea of loss, synthesis, and improvement through destruction and repair or rebirth.” (Singer 2017, 1). The meanings behind this repair are often times reflected onto modern life, of instead trying to hide flaws in yourself or life embrace them and make them something to be seen as beauty rather than shame.

This rather traditional and sacred art form has attracted not only artists but also tourism to places where it is performed. Although the processes can’t be directly watched start to finish (because it takes multiple days or weeks for completion) the finished products have been displayed in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Pitt Rivers Museum ect… Coming from a personal view point of actually having the opportunity to watch kintsugi the processes is incredibly delicate and time consuming it can be described as hypnotizing, you can’t help but watch it.  

Kintsugi has been around for a very long time and has a very interesting and detailed history behind it. Unlike some art forms this technique has gone through little change in terms of style and execution. It remains with its traditional roots. Same goes for the philosophy and driving force behind kintsugi. That’s what makes kintsugi so unique, truly an art form with a purpose.

Bibliography:  

 

Mcnicol, Tony. What is kintsugi?” www.wedojapan.com. http://www.wedojapan.com/kintsugi/. (accessed November 5th, 2017).

This article focuses on the vast history behind kintsugi and its effects on society.

My Modern Met Team. “Kintsugi: The Centuries-Old Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Gold”. Mymordernmet.com. http://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kintsukuroi/. (accessed November 5th, 2017).

This article also discusses history but what cited for its information on the three meathods of kintsugi.

D’souza, Sara. “What is the Japanese Technique of Kintsugi and how to Master it?”. www.thespruce.com. https://www.thespruce.com/mastering-japanese-technique-of-kintsugi-4061735. (accessed November 6th, 2017.

This article was used to cite kintsugi in other art along with more details about the metals used.

Singer, Sophie. Why are Japanese Bowls Repaired with Gold?”. www.thejapaneseshop.co.uk. https://www.thejapaneseshop.co.uk/blog/why-are-japanese-bowls-repaired-with-gold/. (accessed November 6th, 2017.

This article was used for its section about “kintsugi in modern society” which gave me reference to how this idea is weaved throughout modern art.

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