Even Life Has Its Origins: A Remarkable Treatise on the Phenomenology of White
The Genesis of “White” That Spins the Wheel of Time Begins Here
Amid the far-reaching movements of the world and the ordinary moments of daily life, Kenya Hara reads the signs that call for design with unparalleled sensitivity and takes on these unknown challenges. While conventional designers work within pre-existing frameworks, Hara discovers places that long for design, embedding his work into these newly uncovered spaces. Wherever he has passed, traces of new horizons in design are left behind.
The White of Paper, Abstract White, Material White, and the White of Negative Space:
The Discovery of White
“The cities of the world have become homogenized into ‘gray’ through the blending of countless expressions and cultures. Yet, I seek ways to preserve inherent values without being swept away by that vortex,” says Kenya Hara. True to this statement, his relentless pursuit in the everyday struggles of design has led him to uncover “white.” By drawing out the essence of white as a color, it stands out against the diluted gray, becoming a beacon of clarity. His quest to create his own pure “white” continues.
The “white” discussed in this book is far from being merely about color. It is an exploration of the sensory resources embedded in our culture. It seeks the origin of aesthetic consciousness that gives rise to simplicity and delicacy, using the concept of white as a foundation.
The white around us is not just a physical color. It is the sensitivity to perceive something as white. Therefore, one should not search for white but rather discover the way we perceive it. By refining this sensitivity to white, we can recognize a whiteness that transcends the ordinary—a whiteness that feels even purer. This awareness unveils the remarkable diversity of white woven throughout our culture. It allows us to understand the meaning of concepts like “silence” or “void” and discern their latent implications.
Realizing the presence of white illuminates the world, intensifies the light, and deepens the shadows.
After reading this book, white may no longer appear simply white to you. At times, something truly white may seem like a more vivid color. This would be proof that your senses have become richer and more refined. As your sensitivity to white heightens, so too may your awareness of the darker depths of the world.
