| This winter when my husband and I traveled to Southeast Asia for 3 weeks (to Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Thailand), I pondered “What is organizing, and how it does it manifest in Asian cultures?” During this trip I explored the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, was blessed by Buddhist monk there, wandered through temple complexes barefoot, and fed elephants and helped give them a mud bath a remote sanctuary. During this trip, I also explored how my profession translates to Asian societies and examined how many of our organizational elements are echoed in their cultures.
One prominent way organization shows up in Southeast Asia is the use of patterns. The locations that exhibit the highest forms of organization are the Buddhist places of worship. Whether there are a minimal number of objects or a great deal of them, the use of ordered repetition is a powerful way to create an organized space. These photos were taken at temple complexes in Hong Kong and Thailand. There is a strong sense of balance, and bright colors are used to accent the sense of extreme order. Take note that in the large walls, small Buddha statues are placed in each tiny nook adding up to thousands of them! |
