美不在完美 Imperfectly Perfect

Rooted in Zen Buddhism, wabi-sabi aesthetics—focuses on impermanence and imperfection—have become a trendy design and home décor style in contemporary Asia. This aesthetic style has also revitalized Taiwan＇s craft industry, which was facing decline and near-technological extinction. In Taichung, a lacquerware family with over 70 years of history faced closure as lacquerware was replaced by plastic products. Its third generation of young lacquer artist, inspired by modern wabi-sabi aesthetics, innovates their family＇s ancient techniques into new restoration crafts. In Hsinchu, the son of a charcoal maker faced a crisis when Taiwan banned logging in natural forests, leading to the family＇s charcoal industry collapsing. But starting anew with environmental sustainability in mind, he creates regenerative art with wabi-sabi aesthetics, preserving the charcoal industry＇s techniques and attracting young people back to their hometowns for work.