Wabi-Sabi and the Case for Growth

Dr. Neri Oxman

In the face of environmental challenges, a shift in design sensibility is essential. Drawing from the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which celebrates beauty as imperfection, impermanence, and interconnectedness; OXMAN will present old and new work. Her design approach urges us to move beyond traditional design, embracing a symbiosis with nature rather than exerting control over it. By appreciating the inherent resilience in what we often perceive as flaws, we learn to recognize growth and decay not as opposing forces, but as complementary elements, integral to the cycles of Nature. OXMAN’s designs seek to bridge man-made and natural worlds, moving away from disruptive structures towards creations that are integrated within their surroundings. This paradigm shift is vital for ecological regeneration, addressing our disconnection from the natural world. Embracing imperfection and impermanence in design encourages us to acknowledge our role within the natural world, fostering a future of harmony and resilience. Projects like Gemini Cinema, Aguahoja, Synthetic Apiary II, Biodiversity Pavilion, and Man-Nahata, exemplify this philosophy. Each project, in its way, reflects the principles of growth, decay, and the interconnectedness of all things, illustrating how design can embody and promote a deeper understanding of and engagement with the natural world. Through embracing wabi-sabi in design, we can create a world where our creations are not only part of the environment but also contribute to its vitality and beauty, resonating with the transient yet enduring essence of nature.

Neri Oxman PhD HonRDI is an American-Israeli designer, inventor, and researcher known for pioneering the field of Material Ecology. Formerly a tenured professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she is now the Founder and CEO of OXMAN. Her work is published in over 150 scientific papers and patents, recognized by the World Economic Forum, and featured in international museums, including retrospective exhibitions at MoMA and SFMOMA. Oxman received the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Design Innovation Medal, RIBA Honorary Fellowship, and SFMOMA Contemporary Vision Award.

Zoom Details: 

https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/99640850260?pwd=NkFSWjlOQ01mOGg5eXMydmE4UkJLQT09

Meeting ID: 996 4085 0260
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