by Kate Jonuska
two aesthetics come together for beautifully quiet design
A FAMED ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Architects Norm writing a book about Japanese aesthetics may at first appear an odd cultural match. As the book’s beautiful photography and interesting commentary unfold, however, the historical and artistic relationship between the two schools of design becomes clear. In fact, Japanese design is truly fascinating seen from the perspective of the Danish, another culture known worldwide for its minimalism.
“There are many points at which Scandinavian and Japanese beliefs intersect, such as on nature, function, craft, the role of the senses, and simplicity,” writes Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen from Architects Norm, an international firm that has long partnered with established Japanese firms. That shared austerity, he goes on to write, “can be traced back to religious or spiritual beliefs: in Scandinavia, they find roots in Protestantism, and in Japan, Shinto and Zen Buddhist philosophies.”
Photography is the star of this new art book, with the photos in the first half explaining Japanese concepts like ma (emptiness) and kami (the spirits that inhabit everyday objects) alongside short essays by Japanese architects, designers and artists.
The latter includes Kyoto-based product designer Sosuke Nakabo, who explains that the Japanese “think there are kami in the timber or the stone—even in the material of the table we’re sitting at. Also in plants, soil, and rivers.”
The belief is one reason to value quality materials and keep them in a relatively natural state. In fact, Japanese design centers around nature in many ways, including via the concept of shakkei, which means to borrow the landscape or views outside for your enjoyment indoors.
But not all of Stillness is an educational exploration of Japan’s minimalism. The book’s second half transitions into the inspirational with some stunning projects, including former palaces and modern homes as well as high-end hotels, spas and Michelin-starred restaurants, some located in Japan and others in Denmark, making the book an excellent resource for anyone hoping to bring some thoughtful minimalism into their own modern life.
