Teresa Dillon

Turning the Collar

2023

Reflecting on our material relations with objects, through processes of fixing and mending. ‘Turning the Collar’ narrates a journey around the midland’s county of Westmeath, where twenty craft, restoration, and repair professionals speak about their work. Touching on the values that underpin what we choose to care for and mend, the documentary highlights the poetic and situated nature of craft-based work and the joys and struggles that skilled trade professions face. Closing reflections speak to planned obsolescence, the global Right to Repair movement and associated changes in law and legislation.

Credits: Direction/Narration: Teresa Dillon; Camera/Editing: Matt Boyd. Sound: Gareth Anton Averill. Graphic Inserts: Marta Celio. Produced by: Repair Acts, Ireland a project initiated by Teresa Dillon and Alma Clavin, in partnership with University College Dublin and Westmeath County Council. With support from the University of the West of England, School of Art and Design and Digital Culture Research Centre. Funded by: Creative Ireland, Climate Action Programme (2021-22)

Cast in order of appearance: Meab O’Neill (Meab Enamels, Multyfarnham), David Corrigan, Neil O’Dwyer (O’Dwyers Masonry, Multyfarnham), Olga Corrigan, Declan Browne (Liturgical Book Restorers, Athlone), John Conlon (Thatcher, Glasson), Leo Farrell (The Bike Shop, Mullingar), Paul Dunne (Dunnes Joinery, Kilbeggan), Molly Collins (Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Dublin), John Joe Quigley (Inner Lakes Marina, Glasson), Giedre Mostova, Mary Garvey (Partners Garment Care, Mullingar), Claire Delabre (Handmade Design Studio, Mullingar), Mary Connell (ICA, Ballina), Kiernan Veale, John Mangan, Peter Burrows, Danny Cole, Pat Begley (Men’s Shed Mullingar) and Steve Sherwood (Sherwood Technologies, Mullingar).