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

The Repair Workshops at the 2011 State of Design Festival

The Repair Workshops is proud to announce that it will be part of the Sate of Design Festival 2011.

A bit about the festival:

“The State of Design Festival is the largest and most innovative design event in Australia and the heart of design thinking and design activity.State of Design Festival increases the awareness of the value of design and showcases how design generates innovation, promotes sustainability and adds value to business and society.By communicating to Victorian, Australian and international audiences, the Festival promotes a deeper understanding of design capability and value.”

The festival guide will be officially launched next Tuesday the 21st. Here’s a sneak-peek of our listing;

We know that 'if it ain't broke', you 'don't fix it'. But what if it is 'broke'? What role can designers and (over)consumers play in rethinking the value of repair? The Repair Workshops explore these questions through cross-disciplinary collaboration, an exhibition, and a series of public workshops where you are invited to bring along broken items for repair and re-creation.

A beautiful example of a repaired stool in Vietnam

This year’s theme is ‘Design That Moves’

“In 2011 the State of Design Festival explores design in, on and around projects that are transformative, mobile and networked. Workshops and forums examine the nomadic, the cyclical and the role of design systems. We are keen to understand how we can use design to create more active cities and we present events in transitional zones: platforms, revitalised spaces, foyers and stairs. These are 'spaces that take us places'. We also examine how design affects us mentally and physically. We ask, ‘how does design influence our experience of objects and environments, how does design influence how we feel’? For the 2011 Festival, motion and emotion are cause for renewed thinking around design.”

And there’s plenty of other amazing things to see and do at this festival.Here’s a couple of our favourites…

Eco Cubby Workshop

Presented by Regional Arts Victoria and the City of Melbourne, these workshops will introduce kids to the elements of sustainable design, emphasizing fun and functionality.

Eco-cubby workshop, photo: Tobias Titz.

Critical Mobility

Presented by Bus Projects, Critical Mobility explores the relations between art and globalised public space through sound, installation and design on a bus fitted-out as an interactive gallery and performance space. This exhibition features new work by Michael Fowler, Ros Bandt, PVI Collective, Sibling and The Repair Workshop’s Dylan Martorell.

Artwork by Dylan Martorell

All excerpts from the State of Design Festival guide 2011.