Concrete Stereo by Ron Arad

Last Sunday, we highlighted a turntable made entirely of paper. This Sunday, we came across the exact opposite - a turntable made of concrete. It's by renowned industrial designer and artist Ron Arad and was created back in 1983. Here's a bit about it from the Museum of Modern Art here in NYC:

The Concrete Stereo is another milestone in Arad’s work with readymades. A hi-fi range (record player, speakers, and amplifier) was first coated with protective resin and then encased in concrete slabs; soon afterward the concrete was partially chipped away, exposing the rusting steel beneath. At the time of this experiment Arad was interested in both concrete and electronics, and he enjoyed the unfamiliar juxtaposition of these components as well as the technique involved in uniting them; he has compared the uncomfortable combination of materials, both physical and semiotic, to Meret Oppenheim’s fur-covered teacup set. The stereo produced something less than high-quality sound—a surreal challenge to the sanctity of consumer electronics. Very few Concrete Stereos were made, but the idea was ripe for imitation, and knockoffs were soon appearing in novelty shops. This cooled Arad’s enthusiasm, although he still regards these works as objects of beauty.

If you happen to be in NYC and want to see the Concrete Stereo in person, you're in luck. There's a Ron Arad exhibition going on right now at the MoMa until October 16th. Learn more about it here.