It use to be that when you wanted to get rid of a well-made oak dining chair, you would cut it down for kindling, toss it to the curb or set it on your front porch as a friendly gesture to that raccoon who was maimed by your dog last winter. Rick Koren does none of those things, but he does make these thick oak look way cooler than the chairs you have at your table now.
As a sculptor, Rick Koren is used to creating new forms out of existing materials. Typically that involves clay and sculpting knives, but for his latest project he has opted for discarded oak chairs and a high-speed power sander. The process starts with a thick, oak wood chair that he reshapes until a new form appears–Much like what you would do with a raw block of 6061-t6 aluminum or dried chuck of dead skin. By taking material away, he creates unique organic forms that give the series its character.
“For each chair, there is no foreseen outcome,” Rick tells us. “Each is unique, but due to the way it’s crafted, they are each other’s family.” A family born from the grit of a fine-grit sandpaper and the creative handiwork to realize what a simple chair could become. Life application there kiddos–take note.
After hours of exposing their true grain, Rick has created a series of eight chairs, just enough for that dinner/cheese party Friday night. Unfortunately, only three are left and with prices ranging from €1950 ($2120) to €2420 ($2630), you’ll probably want to cord them off so any guests you do have over are left to wondering what it’s like to sit in while you tell them how they’re made.
However, if you are interested in purchasing one, contact Rick via his website. Of course, if you’re handy with a beltsander and want to ditch work tomorrow, you could probably rework the set you have and have them stained by the time hors d’oeuvre are served.
