RIISKA DESIGN BLOG

Yes, there are four of me in that picture.  Matt Lee of Sights&Sounds (Wedding Photography) took that shot in my kitchen with my new Dragon Table and my Boxen Island.  Splitting myself into four was a little painful but I think the photo was worth it.  It illustrates how the playful, practical, imaginative, and realistic sides of me all play a role in creating my designs. Click here to see higher resolution pictures of this and the other great photographs Matt took of my new work!

The Dragon table is a series of two seven foot long tables that can be arranged end to end to make one 14′ X 3 1/2′ table or placed side by side they make  a 7′ X 7′ square table.  I reclaimed the wood from a renovated building in Downtown LA on Alameda street a few blocks from my loft with the help of my assistants Magenta Pinruethai and Charles Corbin.  The table top has a hand planed finish that gives the grain a depth and a clarity that cannot be achieve with sand paper.  The leg joints are hand chiseled and the legs are permanently locked into place with hardwood wedges visible in the top of the table.  The bottom of each table is not only slightly arched in all four directions but also carved with bubbles.  Extending in a grid along the curving surface the bubbles looked like the scales of dragon when I finally put the two finished tables together.  Hence the name. However, the bubbles were inspired by textures like bubble wrap, the rubber nubs on a stainless steal gas peddle and the yellow non slip grips by the edge of subway and train tracks, but not really mythical beasts.

Why carve bubbles into the bottom of the table?  Because it is fun!  The half bubbles on the sides of the table are hints of what awaits underneath.  It is a process of interaction that might take a whole meal or glass of wine to discover but eventually wandering hands find the carvings and soon after that people are peeking underneathth to get a better view.  For me that is the fun. I love the delayed tactile discovery and how the carving is temporarily veiled by the table’s utilitarian nature.  I like the subtleties of the common hiding the extraordinary.

Not only did Matt Lee take these great photographs he also shot an amazing film of the making of the dragon table, which you can watch by clicking on the picture of me cutting wood.  He is a master of his craft and I am honored to have worked with him. He is always professional and creative despite being way to young to be this talented.  Plus there is one more thing.  Matt Lee, renaissance man,  also drew the Dragon Table in 3d making it possible for Will Rollins of 100XBetter to mill it on his CNC Router.  Click here to see a picture of 100Xbetter’s chair  in Sunset Magazine.  Kudos to Matt and Will for all of the amazing help they gave me!

Boxen is a line of simple case work.  They are 16″ X 16″ X 16″ cubes that can be stacked to create shelving.  They are made from scrap plywood reclaimed from several wood shops.  Despite their inferior plywood make up, just kidding there are many virtues to plywood,  the cubes are still finished with the best Hand Rubbed Tung oil money can buy to bring out the beauty and depth of the different species veneers and even enriching the MDF with a dark warm tone.  They are crafted with classic casework construction and shamelessly display the natural edge of the plywood.  The backs are fitted with 3/8″  opaque plexi glass that is durrable and allows light to shine through the back.

For purchasing and pricing please contact The Ford & Ching gallery.  Come to Ford & Ching on March 6th to see my work in person at their Spring Cocktail Party and Launch!

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