Sisyphus Kinetic Metal Side Table Review

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We have covered many tables in the last years. Each one evoking a different emotion. Some are begging to be utilized to their full extent, offering a space for books, cups, or even trinkets. Some look like pieces of art that can be displayed but left untouched. Side tables or coffee tables are designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of people, although few can make bold claims about inducing tranquility. Even fewer can claim to have succeeded, and the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table is perhaps the best exemplar of that.

Aesthetics

Even in its passive, dormant state, the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Site Table can be a calm presence in any room. The juxtaposition of metal and wood in the Walnut finish we were sent to review creates an earthy atmosphere that is often best associated with meditative practices. These materials also try to visually connect us to the dichotomy of nature itself, with the cold and dark metal base contrasting visually and thematically with the warmth of the wooden sides and ring of the table itself. Tables are unique because of the randomness in wood grain and color. There is almost never a table that looks exactly alike.

The tempered glass top furthers the theme of contrasting elements. It evokes both clarity and uncertainty. Glass doesn’t always inspire confidence when it comes to durability, but Sisyphus’ meticulous manufacturing and testing processes ensure that it won’t be as fragile as your eyes might tell your brain. Of course, the glass isn’t merely decorative and serves as the window to the table’s main show.

Inside the Sisyphus sidetable’s wooden frame, there is a lot of sandy material. You will find white sand similar to the one you may see at some beaches. You might also see this kind of sand in Zen gardens. The Sisyphus’ literal and metaphorical soul is actually a small Japanese sand garden that has been enclosed in a wooden bowl and covered with clear glass. This prevents the sand from destroying your carpets or furniture. But unlike a typical Zen garden where you’d use a fork or rake to create circles, a small metal ball rolls calmly across the white desert, leaving a trail of art in its wake. And unlike its mythological namesake, the Sisyphus table seemingly pushes this silver orb not to induce stress but to relieve it.

Ergonomics

It’s not easy to judge a product’s ergonomics if it’s not something you often handle often. A side table, especially one made from metal, wood, and glass, is definitely one of those. Unlike most furniture, however, the Sisyphus does require a few steps to prepare, like connecting the robot to your home network, and there will come a time when you actually need to maintain its electronic parts.

The Sisyphus table can’t be shipped with the sand already inside the table, of course, so you will have to add that yourself. Although it might seem easy to pour the sand in the wooden basin, this is a good opportunity for meditation. During shipping, some sand might have gathered together into bigger particles that you need to pulverize with your finger. It’s also not a good idea to spill any sand in your hurry, particularly before covering it with the tempered glasses top.

All the electronics needed to make the table work are, fortunately, already pre-installed, from the RBGW LED lighting around the insides of the table to the circuit boards, motors, and magnets that make the ball move. The latter set is located directly underneath the wooden body, and all you need to do is to plug the power supply into the cord dangling out of one of the table’s legs. It is easy to access the electronics and mechanisms when the Sisbot needs to be updated. Preparing and maintaining Sisyphus tables is definitely not like your typical table, even those with lighting or wireless charging built-in, but the initial effort is truly worth it once you get the ball rolling, literally and figuratively.

Performance

Calling Sisyphus the Kinetic Art Table would be almost like calling Mona Lisa a drawing by a beautiful lady. Technically, it is correct. But it does not do the Sisyphus justice. The name simply indicates the nature of the masterpiece, utilizing motion to create a work of art. It doesn’t completely convey the almost magical way that art is created, nor the mental health benefits this kind of almost meditative art can offer.

Using stepper motors and magnets as well as small computers such the Raspberry Pi, Bruce Shapiro designed the Sisbot. This is the brain and muscle underneath the art. The magnets move the ball across the sandbox, guided by special programs on the Sisbot and following patterns that were either pre-installed on the tiny computer or created by people. These patterns can range from repeating shapes, lines, and circles you’d often seen in mesmerizing tapestries to almost any line art you can think of. The RGBW LEDs also set the mood, creating a kaleidoscopic light show to captivate your guests or a simplistic warm glow to soothe your eyes.

Sisyphus takes the drudgery out of using the technology behind the table. The company designed it in a way that using the mobile app is like using a music player. The Sisbot creates a track for each pattern. You can add them to your playlist and the Sisbot will run in a specific order. Instead of creating music, the Sisyphus table creates a visual performance meant to mesmerize you with the smooth movement of a shiny metal ball over white sand, helping put your mind in a more meditative state.

Unlike other music players, the mobile app allows you to access more than a limited number of songs to use on your Kinetic Art Table. The mobile app gives instant access to more than 1,000 designs created by other Sisyphus table owners, and that collection continually grows as more people add their creativity and ideas to the community repository. You can also create your own path for the metal ball and share it with Sisyphus enthusiasts to spread the love.

A metal ball rolling on sand isn’t going to be completely quiet, but the Sisyphus table manages to keep it to a minimum. It doesn’t try to eliminate it entirely, but it transforms the “crunching”, soft sound, into something that is part of the experience. Just like the rustling of leaves, the drop of rain, or the rhythmic tapping of a Japanese water fountain, the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table also engages the ears to immerse the viewer in a Zen-like trance even further.

The Sisyphus table almost looks like it works using magic, but all that magic is hidden in what some might even consider as unremarkable technologies. To work the table, you need to connect to your home network. Wi-Fi works best, but wired Ethernet is an alternative. Even if you go wireless, though, you’ll still need to plug the table into a wall socket, though its actual power use is very minimal at 5 to 25 watts, depending on how active it is.

Sustainability

Many furniture designers are becoming more aware of their critical role in creating a better world. Many are now using more environmentally-friendly processes and sustainable materials to help the earth heal little by little. The Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table, with the exception of the circuit boards is manufactured in the USA. This helps to reduce carbon emissions when it ships within the United States. At first glance, the Sisyphus Metal Side Table looks like a good citizen in this regard, but its score is far from perfect. It scores points for its use of metal, glass, and wood. But the real devil is in the details.

Sisyphus decided to powder coat the metal bases rather than painting them, in an effort to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used during manufacturing. The company does not specify the kind of lacquer used to spray wooden tables repeatedly. It could be a red flag on Sisyphus’ report card depending on how the lacquer is made.

And then there’s the presence of electronics and some plastics, always bad signs when it comes to sustainability, especially off-the-shelf ones that aren’t made with more eco-friendly materials or substances. One thing that goes in Sisyphus’ favor is that it designed these tables to last a long, long time and sells replacement parts when they break. Unfortunately, there is no guidance for recycling the parts which will end up in landfills.

Value

The Sisyphus Kinetic Art Metal Side Table, in Walnut or Cherry finishes, isn’t cheap. Even for a piece of designer furniture, it might look a tad too pricey for a 22-inch high side. But the Sisyphus can do what no other side tables can.

While there are many side tables that have minimalist designs, others feature artistic designs to make beautiful visuals. These side tables, however, are fixed in design and do not adapt to the owners’ needs or tastes. The Sisyphus, on the other hand, is not a Kinetic Art installation that can be installed at home. It allows owners to create their own experiences and allow their imaginations to run wild inside the table.

Is it worth $1,600? That’s definitely a “yes” and not just because the table is built to last. The table’s capabilities extend beyond what its designer originally designed. These capabilities are possible to grow with software updates, which don’t need you buying any new hardware.

Verdict

Some homeowners desire their furniture to express their personality. Others prefer more minimalist designs that invite an atmosphere of calm into their homes. Sisyphus Kinetic Art Metal Side Table is a table that caters to both of these groups. It uses nothing more than sand, a metal ball and rolling metal balls. If you ever need to plop down on the sofa and have a relaxing cup of tea, the Sisyphus offers a soothing distraction that is both mesmerizing and entertaining, especially if you have guests to impress.

Some interested buyers might balk at the price tag, but it’s pretty much like investing in a piece of furniture and an art installation in one. This table will not run out of ideas soon thanks to the availability of upgradeable software and replacement parts.

Artist: Bruce Shapiro

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