Cracked teapot and torn Olympic scarf restored in project reviving memories

More than a dozen designers, artists and craftspeople are working to repair a collection of beloved items, each of which has undergone a remarkable transformation.

The Transformative Repair project, now online, is led by University of SA's Dr Guy Keulemans, and designer Dr Trent Jansen of UNSW.

In part it is a response to Australia's waste crisis: seeking new ways that designers can tackle repair and reuse in their practice, so that the life of clients' goods and possessions can be prolonged.

Guy said it's something of a misconception that in the past things were built to last.

One reason for this belief is that the items that have survived over time are often exceptional examples of durability, while many others were not built to last.

In earlier times, manufacturing precision was less advanced, Guy said.

"For example, manufacturers couldn't make things that were super-light so products were heavier but more durable.

"Some believe in the myth of planned obsolescence, but there isn't strong evidence to support this claim.'

Guy said that where there's a closer relationship between the maker and the user, there's more of a concern for quality.

Although much of what we buy, whether that's furniture or jewellery or whatever, is made in big factories halfway around the world, it is still possible to buy high-quality handmade items.

"This is what a lot of this his exhibition is about. It's showcasing that these craftspeople do exist," he said.

"That's definitely the case with furniture. If you look around now, you still can buy really good quality handbuilt furniture that's made to last.

"They've got tremendous skills and they can apply them to something that perhaps isn't usual for them, that being repair and reuse. But nonetheless, the outcomes are really successful.

"When you repair something that's really special to you, you're not just repairing an object in a sense, you're kind of repairing a bit of yourself."

Other treasured objects on display include a well-loved Luis Vuitton bag, frayed necklaces designed by the late Alice Potter, a broken Khai Liew chair, a timber knitting table, a cumulus light, an old hammer, damaged audio speakers, and other "stuff from a shed".

Some of the broken items belong to broadcaster and author Paula Nagel, the first female reporter on the ABC's This Day Tonight in the 1960s.

She owns a handful of red glass shards that once made up a vase she accidentally knocked from its perch and on to the floor in her home.

The broken glass pieces as well as two damaged perfume bottles will be recreated into an entirely new artwork by specialist glass blower Tom Moore.

Gus there's a lot of hyper-consumerism surrounding electronic products, which are constantly being updated in various ways.

"People are getting more and more accepting, unfortunately, of buying new things more often."

Guy said while some of the old skills are not being passed on, he sees a renaissance in repair thanks to the internet.

"So you may not have been taught by your mum or your dad, but if you're interested, it's really easy to look up information on how to repair something. I think that's pretty cool."

He said hopes the exhibition will lead people to engage with their local community of makers and craftspeople.

"It's also a soft kind of motivation, getting people to think about whether they need to buy that flashy new thing or whether they've got something perfectly good that can just be still functional that they already own."

He said seniors have a lot to contribute. "I think with seniors, there's a lot of life experience, lots of repair knowledge, lots of knowledge around materials and craft. I mean, this is really important stuff.

Men's sheds are one way to apply that knowledge but other avenues include Repair Cafes, which began in The Netherlands in 2010 and have spread around the world.

Guy said there are two in Adelaide, where people can take their broken items and have volunteers help fix them.

Around the country there are reuse and repair centres, such as Reviva Dunmore in Shellharbour on the NSW south coast. They run The Tinkerage, a community space where residents can bring items from home to repair. It also hosts workshop, most recently on repurposing old denim clothing.

Resource Recovery also run Reuse Shops around NSW and QLD - more information can be found here: resourcerecovery.org.au.

Otherwise, contact your local council to find a similar facility near you.