When things break, they reveal their true nature. When they’re fixed they are re-enchanted. Urban theorist Nigel Thrift has drawn attention to the “remorseless work of repair and maintenance” that keeps cities humming.
Can repair also be social and political?
Repair is a constant need and a constant choice. As things break and break down, from toasters to cars to roofs to laptops, we can choose to repair or replace. The economical and environmental choice is to repair, but the choice to replace is more convenient. Repair is also a critical theme to explore in an age of waning resources and exponentially growing environmental issues, many caused by excessive waste.