The Wabi-Sabis in Rome 2024

In Rome a few years ago Bill and I noticed this art installation made out of Scrabble letters

We got Italia, Bacio and Amore, but I wrote to the artists about Licita. They said, "The word is actually Felicità [happiness], looks like the F and E are missing."

Last year we were in Rome again and found this message in the maze of streets west of Campo dei Fiori. One of the tiles contained the artist's name: "words by wabisabi".

We also found Love, Free, Help, Yourself in a side street off Via Coronari.

Imagine our delight when we discovered the artists themselves installing a new piece on a wall by the door of the reliable Da Tonino,

a restaurant on Via Governo Vechio, near Piazza Navona. 

Romantica, Amore, Bella Vita, Pasta. Yes!

The artists introduced themselves as Mrs Wabi and Mr Sabi. Do you know the term wabi-sabi? OED: "a Japanese aesthetic...characterized by finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, or simplicity."

The piece was commissioned by Francesa and Roni, who together run Da Tonino. Clever them! 

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Mr Wabi and Mrs Sabi make their home in Paris. Find more of their work on Instagram.