Precious

Abstract

The Precious project is an exploration of narrative repairs of artefacts. the project discusses mans complex relationship to artefacts. complexity addressed in the project is focused around a line of arguments concerning that besides the obvious practical functions; artefacts also are tools for the social interaction in human society. In modern post World War Two western society, industrialism in combination with inter alia the free market economy has brought us welfare and accelerating consumption tempo. The consumption habits are now more linked to company brands and consumption of social status than the need for practical function. This contributes to the fact that we do not keep our artefacts for as long as we use to and the landfills of western society fills up with items that still have their practical function intact. The short life cycles that is induced by phenomena such as fashion makes it less likely for consumers to get emotionally attached to artefacts. This projects hypothesis is that emotional attachment to an artefact is an imperative condition for its long life together with a consumer and its chance to convey its story to future generations. The Precious project explores the narrative functions of patina and various repairs and seeks to create awareness and curiosity around artefacts embedded history and values of affection. The goal of this project has been to seek out methods for narrative repairs and the materials best suited for this end. The results of the Precious project are a series of experimental repairs of artefacts which have been carried out with upmost attention to permanence, respect, exclusive quality and care.