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Located in Hebron, Washington County NY, Upset Wood and
Metal brings the simple beauty of wood and metal seamlessly together in
original works that combine both traditional and contemporary elements
of design. From tables, railings and other home furnishings to
commercial signs and reception desks, Elisa Meyer, the metalworker, and
Todd Koch, the woodworker, create custom handmade furniture that is
functional, practical, and unique.
Recently relocated from Minneapolis, Minnesota, the pair
has been making furniture together since 2002. Since becoming Upset Wood
and Metal, they have amassed an eclectic portfolio of stylish and
one-of-a-kind pieces. Working with both designers and individual
clients, they have created furniture pieces, built-ins, and exterior
works with both the eyes of artists and the skill of craftsmen.
Now they have brought to the Saratoga Springs/Lake George region their
unique brand of home and office furnishings.
Meyer, from Chicago, has been a metalworker for ten
years. Most recently she worked with Lisa Elias, an established
Minneapolis metalworker. "I've had a vast array of jobs, and I've
drawn from them all, even waitressing, which is harder than most people
think." Besides studying ceramics overseas for a short time, all
of her experience has been on the job, which she says has been
financially necessary and a quick way to learn. "I dabbled in many
trades before I discovered how cool metal was. It's such an
amazing medium to work in. It can be very forgiving, but it also
can be manipulated to an incredible degree. I was very fortunate
to be surrounded by so many strong women growing up. My mother had
all kinds of crazy friends doing every kind of art imaginable.
I remember she had this huge purse she would lug around; we would be
having dinner in a restaurant, and she would pull out a chisel and work
on a woodcut or something. I used to be embarrassed as a kid but
now I look back fondly." Condra, their downstairs neighbor was a
particularly strong influence. "She was so industrious, she would
get up, make some homemade pancakes, maybe do a little touch up grouting
in the bathroom, and then go finish that roofing job down the block.
It was awesome. Of course I'm completely in awe of the masters of
my trade, but it really has been the people in my life that have given
me the confidence to be where I am today. I have a good life, and
I owe it to all of my friends and family."
Koch, originally from Saratoga Springs, also was a
furniture maker in Minneapolis for a company called Prairie Furniture, a
locally owed company. He and Meyer had been friends for some years
before collaborating on furniture. "We talked a lot about
furniture for a couple of years before we actually made something
together. We designed some more sculptural type pieces early on,
but we are both more practically inclined and have always thought more
about furniture than sculpture. Earlier, I was inspired by
skateboarding, and I built skateboard ramps. I have had many
inspirations from Chinese architecture to stone age arts, but I design
more linear forms. Even if they happen to be odd-shaped." He
also says he has been inspired by Wharton Esherick, an American
furniture maker known for his asymmetrically designed works. They
have also been inspired by each other and their mediums. To the
challenges of that he adds, "I have always been fascinated by metalwork
but have known little about it. Now that I am able to design with
metalwork, it can tend to lead to unorthodox methods." The designs
lean toward the contemporary, rather than the traditional. Some
traditional methods are used, but alongside modern techniques such as
welding. "We are not traditionalists," Koch says, "We would not be
able to create the pieces we do."
Upset Wood and Metal will be participating in this year's
LARAC Arts Festival on June 10 and 11 in Glens Falls City Park.
You may also see their work in the Lapham Gallery during June as well as
on their web site
www.upsetwood-metal.com
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