New York artist 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.
Image courtesy Michael Beitz
Image courtesy Michael Beitz
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.
Dining table, image courtesy Michael Beitz
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.
+ All images courtesy Michael Beitz
