‘Bathing In The Nature’s Atmosphere. From Japanease Wabi Sabi To Wildness of Artistic Expression ‘(39).

“I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil–to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society.”

„Walking” by Henry David Thoreau

(c) Terence Drysdale and Victoria Yore, Highlands

We all know how good being in nature can make us feel. We have known it for centuries. The uplifting and soothing sounds of the forest, the invigorating  scent of the trees, the sunlight playing through the leaves, the fresh, clean air — these things give us a sense of comfort.

They ease our stress and worry, help us to relax and to think more clearly, forget the troubles of everyday life. Being in nature can restore our mood, give us back our energy and vitality, refresh and rejuvenate us. By opening our senses to the undeniable beauty of nature, the gap between us and the natural world could be bridged. Surrounded by the earth colors, the grey, the green, the blue  we can “return home”, allowing  the Mother Nature to embrace the exhausted souls that through the technological progress  the ruthless rules of capitalism have been deprived of their natural environment. Getting close to the nature has never been more important, more longed for. The truth is that  our modern society has never been further away from merging with the natural world and so divorced from nature. According to most recent predictions, by 2050, 66% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities.  Nowadays we can watch how history comes full circle and reaches the source: deep in the forests, lakes and rivers, to the foot of the mountains.

 

Being aware of the consequences of ‘paradise lost’ – perhaps similarly to many of you I have been trying hard to find my ‘golden mean’. I’ve always felt that I needed something to give me balance and peace of mind  in this cacophonic world of constant noise, omnipresent advertisement and increasing confusion of what’s good for us and what’s harming.

I tried chakra’s healing, crystal healing, meditation, aromatherapy,  reading poetry but nothing has ever been as efficient as  long walks into the parks and forests. I could always find my shelter in the raw nature of mountains, direct contact with the matchless charm of natural world.

(c) Terence Drysdale and Victoria Yore, Highlands

We all need to belong to the nature and this is where we could find real peace and relaxation but also inspiration and joy. I think that for the same reason when it comes to the visual art I have always felt drawn to the works of art created by the visual artist that understand the impact of Nature on our senses and on our lives, our moods and our state of mind.

(c) Alexandra-Albini,Ring in 18k gold, pearl and baroccha diamond

 

 

Quite frankly, I have always been awed by the seemingly effortless interpretation of nature’s magical allure  – where the artist does not even try to imitate  what’s already there (as imitating nature and it’s genius is simply impossible) but to express it in their own, unique way the unity of every living creature with its origin, the Earth.

It’s been many years since I discovered the incredible works by very talented Alexandra Albini.

I came across the profile of the Italian Jewelry Designer on Instagram few years ago. When I think of it today it feels like it was really ‘meant to happen’ – we were both drawn by something that seemed to connect us forever –  that was the art by the Swiss master Conrad Godly. This particular event in my life, this linking to a soulmate in an unexpected way confirmed once again something that I’ve always believed in. Art really connects likeminded people and brings them closer together.

When you look at the one-of-the-kind rings, necklaces, earrings or bracelets by Alexandra – you can quickly notice that you are dealing with the work of anartist that has found the key to lock the power of the  nature. You can sense the divine strength and abundance of forests, lakes, mountain streams and the depth of mysterious caves in a small, masterfully crafted wearable artworks made of 18k or 22k (24k) gold and stones or pearls with irregular shapes.

(c)Alexandra Albini, Ring in 18k gold with aquamarine

(c) Alexandra Albini, Rings and earrings in 18k gold with emeralds 

When I saw jewelry designed and created by Alexandra (who on fact started her journey with designing jewelry from collecting precious and rare antique pieces),  for the first time I felt that there was something about the artists work that transcends time and space. This work does not really belong here – I thought to myself seeing the artworks on her Instagram profile.  These thoughts were caused by the radiance of something unearthly, like it was brought here  from somewhere else, some other dimension of reality. This kind of art asks you questions, leaves them open to your own interpretation.

(c) Terence Drysdale

I have found it most fascinating and mesmerizing how Alexandra bridges the gap between ‘back then’ and ‘now’ with her art. It’s so rare to actually discover something that – if you think about it – might as well  serve the purpose of  becoming the  stage prop of royal jewels during the production such popular movies such as ‘Game Of Thrones’ or ‘Lord of The Rings.

(c) Carice van Houten Melisandre,Game of Thrones, Courtesy of HBO 

Observing the different, mesmerizing colors of the irregular stones or pearls Alexandra carefully chose for her artworks – I imagined different greens of the trees that must have been an important source of inspiration to the artist:  the majestic turquoise of crystal clear waters, the raw beauty and pride of old stones that never had to explain themselves to anyone. It must have been also the sunlight filtering through the branches in the deep forests that thought the artist how to observe and appreciate the light.

One of the unique concepts derived from Japanese culture is wabi-sabi, which can be translated as ‘the beauty of imperfection’, although there is much more to this . According to what the famous, Spanish architect Gaudi said, in nature nothing is perfectly straight, on the contrary, nature was built on asymmetry. In the natural world,  there is no point to seek perfection, as the Buddha noticed, yesterday’s green leaf has died or even fell from a tree today.

(c) Alexandra Albini, Earrings in 22k gold with sapphire and red ruby 

If you come close to that kind of ‘wabi-sabi’ beauty – it is so easy, almost instinctively easy, to release your sense of joy and calm, as we humans are also imperfectly perfect. Admitting that, the thing we have got in common with nature allows us  to open ourselves up to our sixth sense, a new state of mind where one starts listening to the voice of the unconsciousness . This is also when connecting with nature on a deeper level becomes possible.

(c) Alexandra Albini, set, 18k gold earrings and ring, aqua marine

 

(c) Terence Drysdale and Victoria Yore, Highlands

To me looking at art of that in its essence contains the ‘wabi-sabi’ philosophy feels like tasting the freshness of the air somewhere in the distant Scotland, Ireland or Norway or anywhere else where the trees emanate the air of mystery. It is like placing my hands on the trunk of a tree or dipping my fingers or toes in a stream, connecting to the silence I have always carried within me and was missing always busy with different thoughts, waiting for supernatural phenomena to happen in front of my eyes.

(c) Alexandra Albini, Rings in 18k gold with sapphire and diamonds

I am wondering to what kind of  spiritual journey would you experience  if you have ever had the opportunity to wear any of Alexandra’s thrilling creations?  I guess that there is great chance you’ll be able experience something truly authentic that says a big ‘veto’ to the fast world, fast fashion and everything that disrupts the balance of living at peace who you really are.

There is nothing like bathing in the nature’s profound, mysterious and divine atmosphere.  Would you allow your thoughts to drift away?  If the answer is yes, then it means you, the modern inhabitant of this world, the confused urban being, luckily, still remember which way is home.

 

(c) Terence Drysdale and Victoria Yore, Highlands