Hasta La Ideas

Planks of a picnic table are draped over the railing at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Nebraska.

Created by Michael Beitz, the table was shaped by laminating sheets of poplar with marine epoxy over a custom-made mould.

Picnic Table is fully functional and open to the public, seating up to 10 people.

The permanent installation is a project in conjunction with the Bemis Gardens exhibition and design gallery.

This project is the first of the American artist’s conceptual furniture drawings to be realised.

Another story published on Dezeen features a picnic table studded with intricate marquetry — see our earlier story here.

See more stories on laminated furniture here.

Here is some more information on the project:

Michael Beitz’ Picnic Table was commissioned by the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, in Omaha, Nebraska, as a permanent installation on its front loading dock, in conjunction with the Bemis Gardens exhibition and design laboratory.

While in residence at the Bemis Center in 2010, Beitz produced a series of conceptual furniture drawings and realized Dining Table, a 10-foot-long table for two. Picnic Table is Beitz’ first permanent functional public artwork and connects his dual histories of producing temporary public installations and working with designers such as Wendell Castle and BDDW.

Beitz’ work upends expectations of functionality within common furniture typologies. Ultimately his works are something wholly other, despite being produced through standard furniture building methods. Picnic Table is made of laminated poplar and marine epoxy, and seats 10.

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