You may think by now that I sometimes tend toward over-exaggeration? Perhaps even embellishment of the facts... But please trust me - if ever I have said true words, these are them.
No one, in those first crazy and heady days of our collection/installation/workshop/love-in could have seen or predicted the way that it would take off, explode, and thrive in that dark and sometimes dank basement at the bottom of Bourke Street.
Over the course of only six (intense) days half a lifetime of artistic endeavour, electronic wizardry, repair magic, object re-imagining, and (if I am not mistaken) the bending of space and time all took place. Friendships and collaborations were begun, knowledge and cheese toasties were equally appreciated and eagerly devoured.
It was a truly magical experience to be a part of, everyone felt it, and everyone wanted to prolong the experience. So, when the repeated question of whether they would be organising any further workshops penetrated the euphoric fug enveloping the organisers, it was decided that the Repair workshops will live on – albeit in a new form. There is no set shape or timetable as yet, but rest assured, if you were one of the many enthusiastic fans, or would like to be involved in a grass roots repair and learning workshop/club love-in, born from a spirit of collaboration and potential, please watch this space - we will soon be emerging from the post festival coma with a new, exciting and reborn form of the Repair Workshops that everyone can get involved in!
So, a slightly teary farewell cheer for the good ship Repair and all who sailed in her!!
[See you all on the flip-side.]
By Taya Brendle