The Anticipation Letters No.1 – A New Sunday Ritual

Here’s to a new Sunday ritual.

This is the premiere of a series of letters to you, collaborators, fellow creatives, clients and likeminded people who wish to find ways to look more positively on the week ahead and the future at large. Who no longer want to be demotivated by the current state of the world at large today. Who want to be change agents, stand for something, and well, take part in however small and seemingly insignificant ways. Let’s get out of the flight or freeze mode we sometimes find ourselves in and create something good. I’ve come to the conclusion that I need more positive things to get me going. To remember what values I respect, what kind of world I like to see and fight for, and what inspires me and a focus on the aspects I want to fill the word ’design’ with.

Sometimes it might be deeper, more philosophical thoughts and ideas, sometimes more hands on inspiring examples, or bright and simple little things, small notes or anecdotes. But mostly the idea is simply put to keep ut the spirit, to look forward to continue doing the work.

I found myself focusing a bit too much on what’s not working, of what I don’t like about the design industry, about the world. Where was the joyful, almost unbearable longing we felt as children. Or even the urge to start that painting in art school? I made a vow to myself to bring out and collect all the things, people, processes, ways, words, ideas, movies, songs, paintings I really like. To focus in on it, to study it more slowly and with attention, instead of mindless scrolling. To ask myself why I love it? And how I wanted it to inspire me.

I am not however signing up for perfection here. These letters will be intuitive and a process in itself. I will explore where I’m going through these letters. And if you will accompany me on this path, it will make me happy. And please, comment, and continue the dialogue if you wish by answering me.

The picture above is taken by me at the jazz institution Fasching in Stockholm, where I am a member. The anticipation I feel walking into the concert space early, still only a few people, all the instruments set in front of the velvet curtains, everything drenched in warm red light. That anticipation I surprisingly found made the words run like water out of my mind and into the first texts of the book I’m working on: “For the Love of Pine”. That vibe, the visual effect and spatial experience that I love, was also the inspiration for the hand painted layered colour effect “Anticipation Red” on a unique stool in our Join serie. And that potent joyful longing is also the foundation for these letters I am now committing to send every Sunday. I call them the Anticipation Letters.

While awaiting time and budget for taking professional photos of our Les Objets Artisan Collection I leave you with a snapshop moment.

JOIN Stool
Anticipation Red
Layers of linseed oil paint
Clothes layed out for a summer party with friends

I finally got around to go see this Wim Wenders’ (who is a long time Japan lover) movie Perfect Days. I went by myself and came back with a renewed sense of gratitude for the small things, and a connection to the main character Hirayama (superbly played by Kôji Yakusho) and his rich inner life rather than status filled outer life. To me, that resonates so much to the actual starting point of being a creative, an artist, which can be so much more about seeing things, indulging in them with respect and awe, and an urge to capture it’s essence, recreate it, and share it with the world.

From Imdb: Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. He follows a structured everyday life and dedicates his free time to his passion for music and books. Hirayama also has a fondness for trees and photographs them. More of his past is gradually revealed through a series of unexpected encounters.

To see things. To create. To share.

This cabinet at our home in Stockholm is getting a renovation, stripping of old colour layers and two layers of linseed paint. But it can still sometimes capture the light simmering in from our old windows in beautiful ways. Aesthitics is of essence. Perfection is most often not what creates real value. A caring, iterative intentional process is. And noticing is key.

A Sunday Note to self (to create anticipation)

Can I with design as my guiding path create value, experiences, moments, that lifts and highlights life in ways that distills and brings forward how beautiful it already is, or could be, can be.

And through a dedication to that work live a simple, honest, but at the same time exquisite intelligent creative life.

xxx Charlotte Ryberg