Kraken Mare is a striking minimalist table designed by Paris-based architect Nicolas Dorval-Bory. This unique piece draws its name from Titan, Saturn's largest moon and the second-largest natural satellite in the Solar System. Titan, located approximately 10 astronomical units away from Earth, is remarkable for being the only moon known to possess a dense atmosphere and the only celestial body - aside from Earth - where clear evidence of stable surface liquid has been discovered.
Named after Kraken Mare, Titan's largest known sea, which was identified by the Cassini space probe in 2006 and officially named in 2008, the table reflects the architect's deep fascination with Titan and other celestial objects. Dorval-Bory is captivated by Titan's unsettling resemblance to Earth, despite its composition of radically different substances - including an atmosphere dominated by nitrogen and methane and lakes filled with liquid ethane and methane. This paradox of familiarity, which he refers to as das Unheimliche, serves as a powerful source of inspiration.
The designer uses this connection to emphasize a vital truth: as one gazes deeper into the farthest reaches of space, time, and scales, the diversity and complexity of nature become more pronounced, compelling us to appreciate its inherent beauty. The table's intricate shape serves as an isoline, embodying the simple yet profound relationship between geology, liquid hydrocarbons, and gravity, all while evoking the essence of a distant world 1.2 billion kilometers from our own.
Kraken Mare is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a tangible expression of a celestial dialogue, a reminder of the beauty and complexity that exists beyond our planet, and an invitation to explore the unknown with curiosity and wonder.
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