Tokyo Made
(inner tube table)

Inspired by materials, the original idea for the table arose by a chance acquisition of a sheet of discontinued laminate; distastefully patterned to simulate stones cast in polished concrete. Such a false representation of material caused me to think about the duality of laminate itself. Traditionally used as a protective surface treatment, laminate is most often chosen for its color; though in some cases it is chosen as a less expensive or labor-intensive alternative to another material, or merely as a decorative element. Truth, or non-truth, to material then becomes an issue when forced to consider laminate's multiple applications. In this context, I began considering other commercialized consumer products that could embody a similar conflict, for application in a piece of functional art; further requiring all if the components to be synthetic. Representational of the urban environment in which I live, the continuity of synthetic elements in the table seemed appropriate. I believe that the inner tubes share an inverse relationship with laminate; as core structures they are typically covered with a protective layer. Manifested into a design for a small kitchen table, my investigations also led me to employ acrylic for the foundation of the piece; conventionally opposite of where one might expect to find it. What is ultimately represented is my questioning of, "what is truth to materials?"