Marc Newson is an Australian designer who has enjoyed extensive international attention since the beginning of his career. His formative training was received at the Sydney College of Arts, where he graduated in 1984 with a major in jewellery, while also making furniture forms. Idee in Japan was the first overseas company to produce his designs. In 1993 he was awarded the prestigious 'Grande Prix du CrÂ?ateur' by the Salon du Meuble de Paris, the French equivalent of the Milan furniture fair, Salone del Mobile.

The significance of the 'Event Horizon' table lies not only in its importance as a key example of this highly successful Australian designer's production, but also for its innovative use of materials and advanced technologies. The table is fabricated in spun aluminium, with four trumpet legs supporting a shaped top which, being open at both ends, reveals a hollow interior. The interior is coated in deep 'Ferrari' red enamel paint. It is a signed limited edition piece of furniture, the production of the six tables, having been carefully supervised by Newson himself. The table was made by Newson's own company, POD Edition, at a small aerospace company, CZMIL at St Quentin/Yvelines just outside Paris. Stamped on the table top at one end is 'MARC NEWSON, POD EDITION, EVENT HORIZON 1992 1/6'.

The scientific term 'Event Horizon' describes the boundary of the region of space-time from which it is impossible to escape, like a one-way membrane around a black hole. In this table, Newson links this concept to his own preoccupation with negative (interior) space and positive (outer) form which he feels normally tends to dominate. The prototype for this table has also been acquired by the Powerhouse Museum. The designer presented it as a gift when the 'Event Horizon' table was acquired in 1993.

Purchase 1993

Designed by Marc Newson in Australia, Japan and France between 1991 and 1992.

Table prototype, 'Event Horizon', aluminium, Marc Newson, Australia / Japan / France, 1991-1992

Table top and four legs. An elongated hollow table form, fabricated in aluminium which has an unpolished, raw finish. The table top is the same curved shape as the 'Event Horizon' table (93/340/1) and has four holes where legs should be placed. The four legs are detached from the table. The legs have the same slender trumpet shape of the 'Event Horizon' table and are unpolished.

Designed: Newson, Marc; Australia; 1991 - 1992

Designed: Newson, Marc; Japan; 1991 - 1992

Designed: Newson, Marc; France; 1991 - 1992

Made: Unknown;

93/340/2

1991 - 1992