Featured Chaboo Artist- Kari Merkl
December 9th, 2008 by admin
photo by Joe Mansfield
Ive met Kari a few times at past ShowPDXs but I didnt recognize her this year because she wears geeky glasses now. Kari through her company Merkled is basically the metal version of me. She designs and builds custom metal furniture, architectural features, and also does a lot of fun side projects.
She has dabbled successfully in product design even getting one of her lamps into the MOMA store. I originally approached her to get some advice in that field because I was looking to market the original chaboo design. I also wanted some advice on designing/building a coat rack since she has already designed one. She is always happy to help me with any metal related questons. Thanks for your advice Kari!
Her Chaboo was a true collaboration between her and I. She had a design in mind where I build half a chaboo and one leg would be metal. i built my half especially strong because it was missing the spline at the mitred edge. Yes, that square insert is not just decorative- it is a joint that holds the thing together.
photo by Anna Campbell
The clean lines of the powder coated steel are “totally her” for the lack of fancy architecture words to throw at you guys. The original aim of this project was to collaborate with artists and combine our special skills and styles to form a new fusion type product. This chaboo completes that criteria perfectly.
One warning about Kari: she appears to be a little shy and mild mannered but DO NOT misspell her last name! Its Merkl not Merkle or Merkled! The confusion of course starts from her company name of Merkled. Merkl, Merkle, Merkled….. Ai ai ai. At least I didnt introduce her as Kari Merkled at a major design competition with 450 people attending…. ehem
photo by Joe Mansfield
