Maeda's SIMPLICITY

Through Thick and Thin

A broadleaf desert plant grows hair.

Exiting a restaurant in Austin, I noted a plant with two layers of growth. The base layer was formed by a fan of leaves; the upper layer was a contorted mesh of thin threads of organic matter. At first I thought that the wind might have carried the fine clumps of string. But the other plants in the locale were adorned in a similar manner. Nature makes its point in the affirmative sense.

Juxtaposition of two conflicting elements always creates important moments of contrast. As the greenery returns to the trees in the New England area, I am reminded of the long-term contrasts that occur. Often they are unnoticeable as they happen gradually. Our senses steep like tea leaves in warm water. Most things that are truly meaningful tend to be sublime. How do we better prepare ourselves to notice that which is unnoticeable?

Posted by maeda at May 7, 2005 12:58 PM