Makeshifts

Makeshift objects are initially not meant to exist forever. That is to say, they have an expiration date. Nonetheless, many of them often stay with us endlessly. Makeshift objects are objects in transit. They never actually develop into a defined shape but are tolerated as incomplete as they are.

These temporary solutions are beautiful, obtrusive, improvised attempts. They have become what they were never intended to be. Poetic, idealistic, inventive. What is added to the original object questions the object's former purpose, which sharpens the perception of the object's internal strength and weaknesses. Makeshifts objects are clever, sometimes ironic, and are often better than the real thing or the situation they are trying to bridge. They are efficient and most helpful to solve problems caused by our clumsiness. The series Makeshifts of photographer Thomas Meyer portrays how we develop such personal and sometimes intimate relationships with these objects. It is a relationship that often ignores the power of brands. That is to say, using makeshifts means to refuse suggested object consumption while questioning the degree of effectiveness of their design. Instead, makeshifts can create personalized things, which are invented out of necessity. Thanks to their inventiveness, these makeshift objects are capable to return an object back to its old function or even find a new one.