Guest Contribution by Pascal Panagiotidis

Oil has been the protagonist in the industrial history and transformed our world since the last century. Its role and impact in the world economy and population are huge and the possible consequences of a depletion are under the scientific microscope the last years. This is because the Oil era is about to reach to an end and according to many experts we may have reached the peak oil point; a point when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.

The peak oil project was created by Charlie Davidson as a reminder of the “Oil age” as we know it. Trees just like in the oil formation period are once again the protagonists. This time they have not been sculptured by the nature but the man himself instead. Trunks of mahogany trees have been used in order to create the basic form of the concept. The elaborated wavy lines design gives an elastic impression that makes the wood structure look “lighter”. A glossy black plastic comes to render the surface giving an impressive effect. The result is an eye catching curvy polished surface where light is reflected, a really striking design object. More than a table the peak oil represents “a synthetic tomb stone, an iconic and slick reminder of those times to pass.”