CLUTTER

[vince]

(kind of an old photo - actually a frame from Fuji *Single 8*)

Why is it always necessary have a layer or two of historically older items under the stuff that is actually in use - like putting a prime coat on before painting??

Is this phenomena still going on??!

[Taro Toporific]

http://www.vinceworld.com/pongae/clutter.jpg
Why is it always necessary have a layer or two of historically older items under the stuff that is actually in use - like putting a prime coat on before painting??
Is this phenomena still going on??!

Oh yeah. Clutterism is still the Is-ness of Japan. Think about negotiating this clutter with a white cane or wheelchair. It is well captured in thisthread of Rob's accolades to: "Shin Sato's absolutely brilliant photography hereTokyo At Night."

[American Oyaji]

That clutter is VERY Japanese.

Don't ask me why.

[vince]

I'm thinking more about *layers* of clutter, rather than just obstacles.

Like the sotoba sticks on the graves show more age as you go deeper in the pile. Or like there has to be a bunch of stuff in the back of the refrigerator that is never used, but remains there for years to give a sense of relative history to the other items (and you would never think of removing that old stuff any more than you would think of getting rid of all the weathered sotoba in the back of the pile)...

And re: the photos of those carefullly cluttered lanes...

Think about negotiating this clutter with a white cane or wheelchair.

Isn't the Japanese attitude that handicaps are the result of Karma, therefore it is not necessary to accomodate people who are paying for sins of previous lives??