Wednesday, July 27, 2011


There are definitely both positive and negative aspects to being an ‘insider’ at the Repair Workshops...

The first (of many) positives, is the amazingly diverse, enthusiastic and creative bunch of artistic collaborators who have taken the idea and raced away with it at the speed of light. Not often does one get the chance to observe in one place, and with a single aim, such a super-intelligent and open-hearted group of people. They all have the same slightly crazed gleam apparent in their eyes, and there is much racing around searching for the one particular piece to finish off an artwork or slot into place in a repair job. You do see the occasional pout when an item thought to be broken beyond repair, and therefore fair game for an artistic reimagining, is found to be repairable... But on the whole, everyone is playing very nicely together (even the boys in the menagerie), with constant cries of “here! I found that screw/cord/magnet/plastic cucumber etc ... you need, it’s over here!” or “this would be perfect for your chair/diorama/tree/lamp/crying fish portrait...

Another positive is being able to have an early and thorough sticky-beak at all the items on offer. I have already got my eye on an exquisite set of ‘botanically enhanced’ cutlery by Lizzy, a tree from the magical menagerie... some gold lamé covered chairs, and a torch-cum-speaker for my i-pod... You will need to get in quick to beat me...








And the downsides? Well there’s only one really - the fact that I have only been able to hang out at the workshop part-time so far... It is quite an addictive world down here, and all I want to do is sit and soak up the atmosphere. I’ve already learnt so much (thanks Yvette and Jason for the lesson in how electricity actually works!).

So yes, it may be true that the space currently looks like organised chaos... but the camaraderie, as well as the remarkable art/design/repair work that is happening in this magical basement is really a wonder to behold! We can’t wait until tomorrow night when you all get to come and see, touch, and hopefully purchase some of these delightfully enchanting reimagined objects for yourselves.

So if you haven’t already RSVP’d to the opening (or the repair workshops on Saturday and Sunday) you can click this link and do it right now! Too easy.

See you all underground!!


P.S. The photography above (except for the crappy close-up of the torch/speaker) is courtesy of our amazing photographer Fernando De Sousa - star! 

Guest blogger – Taya Brendle

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