Having been immersed in Japanese cultures such as music, anime and manga, there is a Japanese philosophy that has inspired my direction of art - which is called Mono no Aware / 物の哀れ. This phrase describes the empathy felt towards things before their passing. The realization that all things come to pass creates a great appreciation and love, yet filled with bittersweet and sad emotions. For example, the moment cherry blossom blooms are greatly admired for its beauty, and even more so because it soon passes. (Parkes & Loughnane, 2018).
Kyoto Animation Studios, a Japanese animation studio that I greatly admire, produces works that I believe create the effect of Mono no Aware. For example, long pauses and lingering moments in silence create a chance for the audience to reflect on the beauty of an ordinary moment. Kyoto Animation Studios and the philosophy of Mono no Aware have inspired me to create such emotions in my artwork.
Parkes, G., & Loughnane, A. (2018, December 4). Japanese aesthetics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved January 10, 2022, from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-aesthetics/