Today, I would like us to talk about an amazing word the word imperfection. If we were to play with it it sounds like I-am perfection ! Already, it has a sense of self depreciating humour! And self depreciating humour is a hall mark of intelligence!
My imperfections
What is super interesting about this word is the fact that what distinguishes it from the word perfection in terms of vowels is a tiny shift the letter i (9) and yet it changes everything.
We all have certain things that we are not happy when we first reflect on them. For example I am not particularly strong with spotting details, I don’t drive as I am rather absent minded On a similar note, I burned myself on my forehead while cooking ( I told you I am absent minded) and this has left a white discolouration on the top of forehead .
However today they have grew up to by strengths blessings in disguise[ These have gifted me with the ability to think symbolically, connect with the unconscious, appreciate and understand poetry.
The taste of imperfection – Culinary excellence
Taking it into the culinary domain, .great chefs employ imperfection by design. They break the rules on purpose to evoke, emotion, surprise, authenticity, truth –
For example let’s talk about the crack in the soufflé. A soufflé is supposed to rise tall and smooth but chefs some times intentionally let it crack slightly on the top. Why?
- The crack lets a glimpse of the air inside show through , giving diners a preview of the softness within ;
- It breaks symmetry , making each soufflé unique instead of identical;
- The ‘flaw’ is actually the signature of handcraft showing that this is not industrial perfection but living food.
If chefs play with cracks in soufflé architects play with cracks in stone.
Architecture
Japanese designer Oki Sato on his playful approach to design
Leading architects of the world think the same. Play intertwined with imperfection (with nuance) is central to the design of the architect Oki Sato, top chefs and your favourite life experiences. These experiences are not unrefined – there is an invisible architecture underneath the ‘mistake’ ( post about pearls) .
If architects associate imperfection with heightened creativity, in culture they are a manifestation of depth and nuance (9)
Cultural references of imperfection
Languages too have their own words for imperfection:
Wabi Sabi (Japan)
Taken from the words wabi which means less is more and the word sabi associated with melacholy, it corresponds to awareness in relation to the transience ephemeral nature of reality and seeing not despite imperfection but because of it.
Watch a:
- the wrinkles on an elderly’s person’s hands -evidence of a long lived life, full of both fragility and grace , carrying beauty in the impermanence.
Jeong ( Korea)
Like wabi sabi it doesn’t not have a literal translation. It describes a warm bond developed over people through shared experiences kindness and experiences. While it is not aesthetic imperfection, it is emotional imperfections in relationships and life.
Imagine 2 neighbours:
- At first they annoy each other one is loud the other complains;
- Over time they begin to share things a plate of food a borrowed tool ;
- Even if they argue some times these imperfect messy moments become part of the bond.
This is
Affection born from imperfect exchanges small irritations and quiet kindness, this is jeong.
Sprezzatura ( Italy )
Sprezzatura is the art of making something difficult look effortless. In fashion, someone wears a perfectly tailored suit but lets the tie a little loose, or the shirt button slightly unbuttoned – stylish but not stiff.
- In life/art a dancer has trained for years but moves so smoothly that it is feel like pure spontaneity
In a sense it is the sibling of French je ne sais quoi but sprezzatura is about skill disguised as ease while je ne sais quoi is about hovering beauty and mystery
Both dance with the Muse, what cannot be forced , the Spirit shining through.
Meraki (Greece)
Meraki is a word associated with creating fuelled through love and filotimo ( A Greek word associated sense of honour)
It is often used when people prepare the traditional Greek coffee and serve with a glass of fresh water and a sweet called loukoumaki. On another note, it could very much relate to family owned small businesses who often outshine large impersonal and commercial enterprises in terms of quality product .
Each of these words is a lens, showing us imperfection in cultures displaying adorable quirks Talking about quirks let’s turn to the mascot of this wonderful domain which is not other than an adorable baby!
Nature’s blueprint: baby
Watch one – hands and feet up and down – making random noises to communicate with its glowing , pure eyes and teeth less adorable smile and you will feel this first hand . Does a baby know the rules to break them? No it doesn’t literally, but it is governed by instinct the closest to nature’s blueprint for imperfect perfection so in a sense yes it does:) better than most of us !
Even though babies are the grand architects, we can all shine in our daily interactions .
This could mean:
Everyday life imperfections
– A swear word uttered at the right moment to relieve tension, I also see this as beautiful especially uttered by a person with good manners ,It gives gravity ^
-A woman wearing red lipstick – smudges it slightly -and a masculine watch –
– A smile that is crooked and/but suggests intelligence or vulnerability
Imperfection is not a flaw in the pattern, it is the pattern
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Fragnance note:
World : The visibile world shaped by imperfections which become signatures- beauty shimmering through cracks and quirks
Note: French elegance interwined with Japanese Wabi Sabi
Undertones: Greek meraki, love poured into creation. Hebrew resonance – depth within imperfection
The sillage.: Even though perfection dazzles at first glance, what actually touches people’s heart is the quirk, the vulnerable flaw…
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