Flame Sprayed

FLAME SPRAYED reframes the centuries-old relationship between metal and wood by replacing the mechanical grip of nails with a surface bond.

Metal flame spraying is a coating process, mainly used for the corrosion protection of metals. The technique originated around the time of WWI, when it was noticed that shrapnel from high-explosive forces was effectively welding metal directly to surfaces on impact.

It follows a similar principle, of high velocity, high heat projection of micrometre-sized metallic particles on substrates, resulting in a solid metal surface up to several millimetres thick. The small size of the accelerated, partially liquid metallic particles leads to a rapid cooling process, resulting in the workpiece heating up only slightly.

In a series of practice-based experiments conducted alongside an industrial metal-sprayer, I noticed that the wooden offcuts being used as supports get seemingly metallified and change their material properties to an unbiased in-between form of wood and metal. Traces of both competing to take the fore; wooden grain structure betraying its underlying base, while the polish, and cold touch of the surface hinting to the metallic skin.

The mirror, lamp and stool of „FLAME SPRAYED” reflect the hybrid properties: a mirror-like polished wood grain, a beam cut into pieces with open ends and a conductive wooden surface that functions as a switch.