Courtesy of Dana Mano-Flank
Courtesy of Dana Mano-Flank
Courtesy of Hakone Estate and Gardens
July 1
– December 31
Hakone Gardens in Saratoga is featuring an exhibition titled “Expressions of Wabi Sabi: Embracing Nature’s Beauty” by artist Dana Mano-Flank. The exhibit is a collection of artwork focusing on the changing beauty of nature and the impermanence in our natural world. Mano-Flank’s compositions are in the “wabi-sabi” style, a traditional Japanese aesthetic which signifies acceptance of transience and imperfection. In her work, she addresses the fragile connections between nature and human society and incorporates wabi-sabi to capture the small and simple beauty of nature. She integrates natural materials found in forests, quarries and oceans, as well as pigments and pastes to recreate organic textures on her canvases. Dana uses materials with direct relationship to the elements, and addresses issues of environmental stewardship.
Wabi-Sabi resonates today. The pandemic has made us pause, appreciate, be grateful for life’s small pleasures and connect more with nature. Drawing on the philosophy of Zen, wabi-sabi teaches us to slow down, reevaluate our priorities and center ourselves. The pandemic has altered many of our perfect plans. However, within this broken perfection, there is also some beauty. Wabi- sabi focuses on finding beauty in life’s imperfections and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and change. Through wabi-sabi we can be more mindful and more present, to enjoy the simple beauty that surrounds us.
Mano-Flank's art has appeared in numerous solo, invitational and juried exhibitions in museums, galleries and art centers throughout the United States.
The exhibition, which is included in the Hakone admission price, is on view through December 31th 2020. For more information on Hakone and other upcoming events, please visit www.Hakone.com or call (408) 741- 4994.
Hours:
M-F: 10 AM-4 PM
Sa-Su: 11 AM-4 PM
Japanese
Hakone Estate and Gardens is historic Japanese Estate Garden which was built in 1917. San Francisco natives Oliver and Isabel Stine hired Japanese architects Shintani Tsunematsu and Naoharu Aihara to design and build their authentic Japanese estate garden after visiting different gardens in Japan. The estate remained a private retreat for the first fifty years. In 1966, the estate was sold to the City of Saratoga, and soon became one of the City’s crown jewels. Today, the estate is open to the public and is used to promote part of its mission of promoting “a deeper understanding of Asian cultures.” Special events such as the Lunar New Year Festival, Hakone Matsuri, and Hanami take place each year. The Cultural Exchange Center was opened in 1991, and has had exhibits featuring different forms of Japanese, and Asian, art. Because of its natural beauty, the gardens are a popular site for weddings and receptions, and other private and business events.
www.hakone.com
(408) 741-4994
United States
21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
Monday through Friday
10 am–4 pm
Saturday
11 am–4 pm
Sunday
11 am–4 pm