Wabi Sabi

Caleb Gutierrez, 2026

Curated by Shannon Smith

Wabi Sabi is an exhibition and Film Screening by Caleb Gutierrez.

The film Wabi Sabi was shot entirely in Tokyo, Japan, and Tucson, Arizona, 2023-2026, on a VHS-C Camera, giving it a warm, fuzzy feeling, straight to tape.

The film follows Joe in Tokyo, played by Dimitri Manos. Joe wakes up in Tokyo, Japan, ready for work. His job is to help his new boss paint a mural across town in Setagaya. He takes the Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku Station, then decides to walk a little. His time frame has a clever and easygoing approach to his own life style. After the work is done, the film shifts to a more relaxed vibe. He got paid and is now on vacation in Tucson, Arizona, until he starts work again. Joe walks around the Tucson area with his favorite lawn chairs and the new suit his boss sent. He sets two lawn chairs in spots where he can take photos to make postcards that he can send back to Tokyo. In his final vacation days, he decides to chill by the pool at the Arizona Inn.

Wabi Sabi - Finding beauty in things that are imperfect.

Wabi is the name of my dear friend Yuho's cat. Wabi chan.

Directed, filmed, and edited by Caleb Gutierrez, CGDD.

The exhibition includes all objects and items used during filming, as well as artworks created in relation to the film.