Kenneth Mannchen Artist in Residence at The Keep

For the past week, The Keep store has played host to artist Kenneth Mannchen who has been creating works from their shop window. Kenneth's latest works, "He has left us alone but shafts of light sometimes grace the corner of our rooms", displayed man/Mannchen-made recreations of his entire wardrobe of garments, hand-stitched from Japanese rice paper.

Each rice paper garment was then folded into envelopes and handed out into the crowd to be either tried on, worn, or simply hung on a rack to admire the delicacy of craftsmanship. The wearing and tearing of the recreations throughout the opening night was be heavily encouraged by the artist in order to assist the display of his personal practice of instant Wabi-sabi. The tears were then mended by Kenneth using leather, hessian and his own Alexander McQueen bodysuit.

Wabi: can refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction which ass uniqueness and elegance to the object.

Sabi: is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object and its impermanence are evidences in its patina and wear, or in any visible repairs.

Wabi-sabi: represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

Watch the beautiful short film below made by the very talented Megan Christiansen on the night of the launch for Kenneth Mannchen's work for The Keep at 504 Karangahape Road, Auckland. 

The Keep - Kenneth Männchen from Megan Christiansen on Vimeo.

Film / Megan Christiansen
Artist / Kenneth Männchen
Music / Black City Lights
thekeep.co.nz/