The Great Outdoors
Just before the pandemic struck, I was in London for a short stay. Overwhelmed by all the ornate structures and decorative façades that lined the streets, it was a humble Japanese Zen-filled enclave tucked away inside Holland Park that left the deepest imprint. At first, I failed to notice its name – Kyoto Garden (it is subtly inscribed in a stele by the entrance) – because of its shrubs and water features. The winding stone pathway, surrounded by crisp birdsong and trees, was dotted with empty spaces where a pair of peacocks were roaming free. This calming experience is courtesy in parts to a traditional Japanese aesthetic philosophy called “MA”, which insists upon leaving a void, or a space, between two things – be it an object, a space, or even a…
