- Would you consider Gen Saratani’s work of repairing broken ceramic a form of art? Explain.
Yes, he creates and makes beuaty out of broken objects and that in itself is beautiful. Not only conceptually, but visually as well. He uses gold to seal the broken pieces together creating a grogeous, artistic aesthetic.
- Was this classroom visit inspiring for you regarding your own repair project? In what way?
Yes, it inspired me in the sense that repaior does not only have to ge functional but can also have visual qualities as well. It gave me the idea of repairing an object so that its both practical and appealing.
- Do you think that Gen’s work has an impact on how people will value their objects returned after repair?
Yes, it breaks away from the sense that once something is broken it is useless, and thus the value stays the same or even increases (in the sense that he uses gold, which is valuable).
- In what way does the repair feel inventive and creative?
It gives the individual a sense of breaking away from you can traditionally do with the function of the object. It allows space for completely changing the function or aesthetic of the broken object due to the fact that its functionality is now either gone or malleable.
- Watch this video about Kintsugi. The craftsman from Kyoto talks about finding beauty in broken things and old things. Does this inspire you to look at things differently?
Yes. Beforehand, I would look at broken things whether it be hangers, books, and clothes as something less valuable/have no value. The way the Japanese still find beauty in broken things is both comforting and eye opening. Rather than hid the fact that the object is broken, they highlight it and make it the focal point of the piece, thus allowing the viewer to understand not all that is broken is worthless but just needs to be viewed from a different perspective.
