23 Sep Kintsugi: The Art of Precious Scars
When a bowl, teapot or precious vase falls and breaks into a thousand pieces, we throw it away with regret and rarely think about it again. But the Japanese have a better idea and it’s called Kintsugi. This is an ancient practice in which brokenness is highlighted and enhanced, thus adding value to the broken object.
I recently learned something about Kintsugi, in which a potter takes a broken vessel and repairs it, accenting the brokenness with gold or silver, thus making it whole in a different but beautiful way. By repairing broken ceramics it’s possible to give a new lease on life to pottery that becomes even more refined thanks to its “scars.” The Japanese art of Kintsugi teaches us that broken things need not always be thrown away but can be repaired and displayed again with pride.
The practice of Kintsugi resonated with me because of the work I do for families in business together. I find the metaphor of brokenness intriguing because I am often placed in the position of trying to piece broken relationships back together again, much like the Japanese potter. Last week, another sad example of this appeared in the Dallas Morning News.
Starpower Home Entertainment Systems was founded more than 23 years ago by its visionary founder, Daniel Pidgeon. The company got its start when it bought long-time Dallas appliance retailer Ed Kellum and Sons. From there, Starpower grew into one of the largest home entertainment firms in the country, operating four stores – two in Dallas, one in Southlake and one in Scottsdale, Arizona. Starpower went on to build a sterling reputation for its custom design and installation of home theatres, media rooms and home automation and security systems.
Daniel Pidgeon, is a well-known figure in the home entertainment industry, having served as chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association in 2015, a position usually occupied by a major manufacturer.
Last week, however, Daniel filed a lawsuit against his three brothers Steven, Michael and David Pidgeon; his father, Barry Pidgeon; and Starpower new chief operating officer Tom Schurr. The suit filed in State District Court is seeking more than $5 million in damages over what Daniel describes as his wrongful ouster as chairman. The lawsuit also claims that he was locked out of his office by his own family, that various family members misappropriated company funds to help a second family business, Star Floors, that is reportedly in financial trouble.
Speaking on behalf of family members who were sued, Daniel’s brother, Michael Pidgeon, said; “we expressly deny any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, Daniel has decided to take this action to hurt the family.”
“Daniel Pidgeon’s life has been disrupted,” the suit says, “by the removal of his access to his only email account, files that include his personal financial and tax information, medical documents and other personal documents essential to him and his family’s daily life.”
I was very saddened to see another family end up in court like this. Some of the similarities to my own family’s history are haunting. It is my hope and prayer the Pidgeon’s learn to see their life in a different way now. The lawsuit will change things forever. Their previous life will be gone. Like the Japanese potter, someone will have to put the pieces back together again. Only then will they be able to form something new.
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