The Art of Imperfection April 4, 2008

I remember the first time I heard the phrase “the art of imperfection”. It was the title of a book sitting on a coffee table full of books in an office waiting room. My grandma picked it up.

I’ve been enraptured by the concept ever since.

The Japanese know it by a different name and deeper meaning — wabi sabi. Not to be confused with wasabi.

The art of imperfection. That is what makes Abby’s Psalm 23 so delightful. And why I so love the dimple in Amelie’s forehead. It is sometimes that little imperfection that makes something absolutely perfect.

The irony is that I fight off imperfection in myself while enjoying the imperfections of others.

My most recent contact with the art of imperfection was when watching “No Reservations”. I usually avoid celebrity admiration like the plague, viewing celebrities as generally and specifically unhappy people. But I couldn’t help but admire Catherine Zeta-Jones. She is so beautiful. Even in pajamas. She is long, lithe, full of grace. Elegant. Every arch of the eyebrow, every curve of her lips. She was just…perfect. I sat, enamoured, enchanted, entranced.

And then I noticed them. Her hands. A little red. Short, not-quite-stubby-but-very-close-indeed fingers. Squarish nails.

Suddenly, all I could see were her hands. They followed her everywhere like the plague. Perfection marred. I was disappointed.

But as I continued to watch, I began to like her plain, inelegant hands. It was exactly that imperfection that makes her beauty…perfect.

 

Quote of the Day

Imperfection is the most you can strive for, Insanity is what you try to avoid.

–Aunt quoted in amazon.com review of “art of imperfection”