The Mendsmith Project: Nick Dong
2019 Oct 14
The Mendsmith Project is an ongoing exploration by artist Nick Dong that transforms personal memories and profound emotions into tangible art. By inviting participants to bring meaningful items—often ordinary objects or jewelry deeply connected to loved ones—Dong creates unique art pieces that mend not only the physical form, but also the emotional bonds associated with loss, grief, and remembrance.
In 2005, when a close friend lost her husband, Dong knew he wanted to do something more meaningful and lasting than simply offering his condolences. With her permission, he transformed the couple’s wedding rings into a single piece she could treasure as a representation of the love they had shared. Attaching the bands together in what he describes as “an eternal embrace,” he made his first mend.
Dong’s thoughts later returned to the united rings he had made for his bereaved friend. He wondered: what if he could make similarly meaningful pieces for others who had suffered the loss of a loved one? In that moment, the Mendsmith Project was born.
“The word itself is a play on metalsmith,”
Dong explains.
“As artists, we have our technical skill set and our creativity—the ability to transform something, from ugly to beautiful, sad to radiant. We can actually take on the task of not just making the world more beautiful but also to transform people, to help others.”
Through intimate, one-on-one consultations, participants share personal stories of family, relationships, and life’s pivotal moments. Dong listens closely and designs transformative works that symbolically unite these memories. Examples include wedding rings reimagined as rose-shaped pendants commemorating a loving ritual, or pieces combining elements from several heirlooms to honor family ties.
The Mendsmith Project stands out for its emphasis on emotional process, personal connection, and the healing power of art. Through each piece, Dong crafts not only an object but a lasting tribute to love, resilience, and personal history.
復圓計畫（Mendsmith Project）是藝術家董承濂將個人記憶和深刻情感轉化為可觸摸的藝術品的持續探索。董承濂邀請參與者帶來對自己意義重大的物品，比如與親人深刻連結的日常物件或飾品，再由他將這些物件創造成獨特的藝術作品。不只是修補外在的形體，更彌補與失落、悲傷、追憶相關的情感聯結。
2005年，一位摯友失去了她的丈夫。董承濂知道，自己想做的不只是給予簡單的安慰，而是帶來更有意義且可長久保存的事物。在徵得她的同意後，他將這對夫妻的婚戒合二為一，做成一件可以永遠珍藏的作品，象徵著他們曾經擁有過的愛。他將兩枚戒指連結在一起，稱之為「永恆的擁抱」，這也成為他第一次的「修復」。
這次的「修復」一直縈繞在董承濂心頭。他開始思考：如果自己也能為其他經歷過親人離世的人創作出同樣具有意義的作品，那將會如何？在這樣的契機下，復圓計畫誕生了。
復圓計畫（The Mendsmith Project）名稱本身取自metalsmith（金屬工匠），是個文字遊戲。
董承濂近一步解釋：
作為藝術家，我們有自己的技術和創造力——能夠將事物從醜陋化為美麗，從憂傷化為明亮。我們不僅僅是讓世界更美，也能夠去改變人，幫助他人。
在這個計畫中，董承濂會與參與者進行深入的一對一交流，聆聽他們關於家庭、關係與人生重要時刻的私人故事。他耐心傾聽，並據此設計出象徵性地串聯這些回憶的轉化性作品。舉例來說，有人將婚戒重新設計成玫瑰墜飾，以紀念動人的愛之儀式；有些作品則融合多件家族傳承物件，向親情紐帶致敬。
修復師計畫的特點，在於對情感歷程、個人連結與藝術療癒力的重視。董承濂創作出的每一件作品都不僅是單一物件，更是對愛、韌性與個人歷史的恆久頌讚。
