Brief Statement of Connection to Issue: 

From working in the mass manufactured furniture industry, I have long been an advocate for repair culture. Through the act of repairing, I question, how do we re-evaluate what value means when it comes to our objects, belongings, things. Value should be removed from newness and attached, rather, to sentimental attachment, workmanship, uniqueness, and creative liberties. We need to demonstrate and share these values through conversations and celebrations — celebrations of locality, repair culture, uniqueness, learnt skills and accomplishments.

Abstract:

We no longer have the naivety, to consume exuberantly, nor the time, to rely on consumer industries to make these changes. Designers have long been part of the cause, how can we, now, be a positive influence in this shift. For almost a decade, I’ve worked in the furniture industry — watching (and contributing to) the mass manufacturing of consumerism. While my morals are often challenged daily, I believe my present and voice is a positive influence to incremental changes within large manufacturing corporations. Is that enough? No. Within my personal practice, I repair abandoned furniture pieces found in the back alleys of Vancouver and Toronto. These pieces are tenderly deconstructed, mended, polished, and reconstructed. The process is usually slow and personal, as I develop sentimental attachment to the pieces.Through this process, my thoughts lead to questions of value and the aesthetics of used and repaired objects. While my hands develop new skills in making and mending, as I deconstruct and then reconstruct each piece. I will document this process through images, sharing  them on social media in the hope that they will inspire others to repair. Below are the images of one of these shared repaired projects — the Dumpster Chairs.

I challenge other Designers to ask themselves, what can we learn from repairing discarded objects? And what can we share to influence others?