I had the chance to visit Project Chaboo participant Juno Lachman’s studio in SE Portland today.  His company, Juno Architectural Glass Inc.

specializes in the design and production of custom architectural glass for both interior and exterior applications in commercial, residential and public settings. We use a wide range of techniques such as sandblasting, sand carving, laminating, and cold working to create distinctive installations.

His studio was huge and very organized and clean.  I think that really shows a commitment to professionalism.   Juno showed me various glass equipment and samples of sandblasting that he has done.  Him and his assistant Sarah are working on a massive 8×24 ft outdoor glass panel which is made from a mosaic of 2″ x 2″ glass.  The overall design is of looking up into a bamboo grove!  Very fitting that he is working on a bamboo chaboo.  He showed me a few techniques he has for laminating glass and experimental stuff he has done with epoxy and glass rods.  He is going to sandblast the chaboo and also insert some glass.  Very cool.  Well see how bamboo sandblasts- my guess is that the nodes will resist and give it  a nice irregular feel.  Id like to collaborate with him someday and have him make me a custom glass top for a piece of furniture.

Juno and his assistant Sarah in the studio

Thanks for the tour Juno.  Im looking forward to seeing what you do with your chaboo!

In no particular order here are the artists participating so far:

Alisha Wessler - illustration

Lauren Wessler - wood, paper mache

Jennifer Mercede - painting

Chris Haberman - painting

Sohaila Adela - illustration

Kelly Neidig - painting

Nell Warren - painting

Robin Kaplan - illustration

Dave Laubenthal -wood, metal

David Bertman -wood, metal

Kari Merkl - metal

Joel Wakeman - wood

Juno Lachman - glass

Eric Day - wood, metal, fiberglass

Todd Griffith - painting

Joe Mansfield - laser

George Ramos - wood

Mike Halvorson - wood

Paul Sykes - wood

Lindsay Holmes - recycled skateboards

Jess Hirsch - watercolor

APAK - illustration, painting

Erin Albin (appetite) - screenprinting/fabric

Brendan Budge - industrial design

Lisa Kuhnhausen - interior design/fashion

Jason Hernandez - wood

Sarah Bennet - wood, epoxy resin

Karl Ramentol - industrial design

Ken Tomita - wood, bamboo

Amy Ruppel- designer

Maren Jensen- illustration

Sara Huston - furniture design

Orange design.build - salvaged materials

Marshall Ryan - architecture

Ryan Thomson - architecture

Megan Scheminske - painting

Don Jensen - wood

David Butts - kinetic sculpture

Marc Riera - architecture

Ryah Radomski - furniture

John Paananen - interior architecture

Emily Steen - graphic design, environment design

Oluwaseyi (Shay) Sosanya - mechanical engineering

Tom Huang - furniture design

Ben Wood - furniture

Emily Knudsen - interior design

Corbin Keech - architecture

Jim Haas - furniture

The project has gained tremendous momentum the last couple weeks.  Ive convinced a handful of designers who were in ShowPDX2008 to join in on the fun. Unlike the painters/illustrators who are “decorating” a completed chaboo, many of these designers will design/fabricate their own Chaboos from scratch.  Ive encouraged the designers to freely interpret the design as they wish. Id like the project to be an opportunity for artists unique voices to be heard with a minimum of structure.  Their pieces only need to follow the design enough that a series is created.  I am working closely with some of the designers and others will work completely independently.

These designers are highly skilled in specific mediums such as metal, glass, concrete, wood, and felt.  Im excited to see how these different materials can be integrated into Chaboo!

Im looking for more designers for this project.  Send people my way if they would be interested!

In alphabetical order with preliminary chaboo ideas:

Scott Bord- Manual Design Works

formed concrete

David Bertman- David Bertman Designs

edging with metal and some kind of webbing

Eric Day

Matt Deschler- Formed Objects

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