Furniture, design, studio 1am, this table will self destruct

This Concrete Table Will Self-Destruct, Just Very Slowly

Each time someone buys one of these limited-edition concrete coffee tables, the designers subtract a pre-planned chunk from the next one they'll sell. So, it's self-destruction in an expensive, arty, musical-chairs-meets-LEGO kind of way rather than a Mission Impossible explosion. "This Table Will Self Destruct" is intriguing, though: does its shrinkage represent less value for money each time, or do you get increased "art" as each chunk gets nibbled away? Only 23 chunks have been zapped so far, so you can buy a nearly complete one today or wait for it to get holier—both options will cost you $1700 for two. [Product at Studio1am via Nerd Approved]

7:08 AM on Mon Jan 28 2008
By Kit Eaton
6,254 views
12 comments

Comments

cmsjustin at 08:54 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

With holes or without, they're fugly.
tyskkvinna at 09:13 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

They are kind of short. But I like the design.. and the concept.
arch05 at 09:32 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

What is this.....a table for ANTS?!
luciusad2004 at 09:35 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

Wait... People are willing to pay for the chance of getting a less than functional table? I mean obviously right now you could get one and it would be fine. But who would buy this down the road w/ the chance of getting half of a table. How is that even art. You are paying for holes. They should at least get incrementally cheaper. Although i personally think there should be a certain limit as to how much table they will remove. After that that can just re start the cycle. What about the person that just gets one of those little blocks. I would be ashamed to send that to someone under the guise of "art" I bet they will be really proud of their 1700 dollar block of concrete. Gonna show that off to ALL of their friends.
luciusad2004 at 09:38 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

@luciusad2004: Apparently their website says they keep going until the table becomes impractical so i guess its not really that big of a worry. In that case i proclaim this to be awesome.
Wwhat at 09:38 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

Get a life LUCIUSAD2004.
OENOPHILE at 09:45 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

Is this so people who buy it can observe the cosmic connection between them and other rich, artsy people?

I thought Apple had that on lock (?)
Bender at 09:59 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

I usually like quirky art, but this one just doesn't work for me. I think it's the big "table will self destruct" label they put on the top. It doesn't self destruct. It's not like every time they sell another table a piece of your's falls off. Once you buy your table, that's it; all the destruction has already taken place. (wild parties exluded.)

The only person who gets to witness any self destruction is the artist making the tables. What's the point of performance art when nobody can see the performance?
Fierock at 10:30 AM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

Hey, I was looking for something to display my collection of faberge eggs on. This fits the bill just fine...
poorGeek at 01:09 PM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

I wonder how hard this would be to make at home
The mold wouldn't be easy but it'd be cheaper than 1700
capitalass at 02:21 PM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

@Bender: You're clearly overlooking the existential relation between the first table, and it's progeny.
fastm3driver at 03:13 PM on 01/28/08
Reply by Email
*

I for one, own that red couch.
I operate it with no coffee table as they tend to hurt my ankles.