At this point, it is safe to say anything that gets “touched” by MSCHF, they’d becomes quirky, and if the product is already quirky, it’d become even more quirky. Crocs was one good example and so was the Hot Wheels die-cast car. Now, MSCHF has lent its quirky touch to a couple of iconic designs—namely, the CACTUS and PRATONE— from Italian radical design studio, Gufram too, sending the iconic designs into quirkiness overdrive.
Gufram x MSCHF 5G CACTUS
MSCHF has turned Gufram’s 1972 CACTUS by Drocco and Mello into a 5G CACTUS. Like the original design it is based on, 5G CACTUS is a coat stand. It is of soft polyurethane finished by hand with Guflac and thoughtfully “modified for cell reception” hence the circuit boxes on it. The regular-size item, measuring 170 tall, 70 by 70 cm (66.9 x 27.6 x 27.6 inches), is a “Unique Edition” which means there is only one available. And yes, it is available to buy but the price is on request.
It is safe to say it is going to cost a fortune but thankfully, there is a desktop-sized version, dubbed, well, 5G CACTUS MINI. This desktop-sized Guframini 5G CACTUS is of a soft polyurethane, plastic construction and measures 26 by 10 by 10 cm (10.2 x 4 x 4 inches). It aims to spruce up your home—desk or shelf—without breaking the bank. And no. It will not boost your home 5G signal. It is a decorative piece. It has an edition of 300 and sells for “just” 300 bucks.
Gufram x MSCHF CUT PRATONE
Next up is the “patch of long grasses” simulacrum, the 1971 PRATONE by Ceretti, Derossi, and Rosso. The functional sculpture is of soft polyurethane finished by hand with Guflac but it has since been run over by a lawnmower by MSCHF and appropriately dubbed CUT PRATONE. The result is a truly functional sculpture that you can rest on if so desire. It measures 85 cm at the tallest point and has a footprint of 140 by 140 cm (33.5 x 55.2 x 55.2 inches). The CUT PRATONE has an edition of 9, and the price is also on request.
If you rather not put up your weak heart to a possible crazy price tag, there is also a shrunk-down version, dubbed CUT PRATONE MINI. This desktop-sized Guframini CUT PRATONE is also crafted from soft polyurethane. But since it is palm size, the mowed lawn is no longer functional but like the mini 5G CACTUS, it is sure to turn its head wherever it is being displayed. The mini CUT PRATONE measures 10.6 x 17 x 17 cm (4.2 x 6.7 x 6.7 inches). And if anyone’s down, it has an edition number of 300, each going for an “easy” 300 dollars.
Images: MSCHF.
