When was the last time you repaired a beloved object instead of replacing it with something new? Are you a sentimental type who keeps these broken objects around cluttering your living space?
Last year, award-winning industrial designer, curator and educator Hans Tan, supported
by DesignSingapore Council, held R for Repair at the National Design Centre.
![exhibition-7-1024x819-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exhibition-7-1024x819-1.jpg)
The exhibition showcased formerly broken, or faulty objects submitted via open call creatively restored and reimagined by 10 Singaporean designers and nine repair kits by NUS design students.
The exhibition aimed to present a counterpoint to the modern consumerist culture, reimagining the act of repair as an inspiring activity that produces aspiring outcomes.
![hans_1107-35-683x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hans_1107-35-683x1024-1.jpg)
Hans is currently working on the second edition of the exhibition, which will involve a creative exchange between designers in Singapore and the UK. We asked him to share more.
WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS F OR R FOR REPAIR?
Most of the time, you only repair things when you cannot afford to replace them. It is not uncommon for people to see repair as “lesser” than buying a new product. When you have a hole in your clothing, you do not normally mend it, but we used to not too long ago.
Repair is also typically perceived as demeaning by profession. Most of the time, designers also aspire to design new products. I thought it would be interesting to bring an alternative perspective to repair and “repair” our relationship with it.
![sewing-machine-before-3](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sewing-machine-before-3.jpg)
![sewing-machine-after-8](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sewing-machine-after-8.jpg)
When you repair an object, it could become more meaningful, beautiful, and identifiable.
![sewing-machine-1024x683-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sewing-machine-1024x683-1.jpg)
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SECOND EDITION OF THE SHOWCASE.
I’m really excited to work on the second edition this year. The interest from the partners that are putting this together perhaps shows that the aims of this project are purposeful and resounding.
This time, R for Repair will be a cross-city project, with designers from Singapore repairing objects volunteered in London and vice versa.
The outcomes will be presented through an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. I’m not sure if this will be an annual event, it will certainly be interesting to work with a different city for each edition, but I’m taking it one step at a time.
![toy-bus-before-3-1024x532-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/toy-bus-before-3-1024x532-1.jpg)
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE CROSS-CITY EXCHANGE?
In this project, each designer is invited to interpret “repair” for themselves and apply it through repairing the object. When one goes beyond mere restoration, it is often inevitable to invoke the values and meaning of the objects.
I hope that this exchange between Singapore and the UK will spark a creative and cultural exchange of ideas through design.
![toy-bus-after-2-1024x585-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/toy-bus-after-2-1024x585-1.jpg)
IS REPAIRING A SUSTAINABLE FORM OF CREATING ANEW?
Certainly so, if one considers repair as a creative intervention. It creates something new, not from scratch or raw materials, but from the creative reuse of existing things.
I believe this is the way forward for repair. Restoration-based repair is important. For example, if your mobile phone broke down, a good business system would enable you to have it repaired easily.
On the other hand, for repair to go to the next level, it must add value. A good example would be kintsugi, the Asian technique of repairing broken ceramic wares with gold lacquer – the repaired outcome is more beautiful and valuable than its original state before it was broken.
![home-decor-r-for-repair-stateproperty-brokenandundersizedbracelet_before1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-decor-r-for-repair-stateproperty-brokenandundersizedbracelet_before1.jpg)
WHAT HAS ORGANISING R FOR REPAIR THESE TWO YEARS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT OUR CULTURE AND HABITS?
It has revealed the significance of creativity and design in bringing about change. And the starting point of change is not behavioural, and it begins with a shift in the way one perceives.
I guess a lot of what I do could be considered “repairs” to some extent, and it certainly influenced how I designed the brief for this project.
Being a designer-maker in Singapore, where natural resources are scarce and craft fabrications and practices hard to come by, the use of waste and found objects has been a common thread in my own works
![home-decor-r-for-repair-stateproperty-brokenandundersizedbracelet_after](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-decor-r-for-repair-stateproperty-brokenandundersizedbracelet_after.jpg)
HOW ARE THE SUBMISSIONS THIS YEAR?
We have received many quality submissions, more so than last year. I had to hold back tears when I read one of the submissions this year.
This being the second run of the project, I guess people were motivated to respond with either an interesting object or something that has a really meaningful backstory.
![home-decor-r-for-repair-atelierhoko-porcelainteacupwithbrokenhandle_after](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-decor-r-for-repair-atelierhoko-porcelainteacupwithbrokenhandle_after.jpg)
HOW CAN WE CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE REPAIR CULTURE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?
Repair is a risk worth taking. When repairing an object, don’t aspire to restore it. Think about what else you can do with it.
Could it do something else? Become more meaningful, beautiful and identifiable? You establish an emotional connection as you put the effort into the repair.
That is more valuable than that which can be bought.
![55041-repair-kopitiam](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/55041-repair-kopitiam.jpg)