Itmight appearlike thestrange inventive bidto set up the squarethat meanttodestroy itself,butthat’swhat Thijs Rijkerdidwithhis industrial art array patrician“Suicide Machines.”So far,he’s built dual pieces in the future writtentodestroy themselves— the singleis the self-powered sawthat in the futurewillcutintoitsown engine,and an additional pours siltintoits gearbox untilits gearbox wears out. Sadlyfor those seekingto seesome appurtenance destruction,the videos Rijkerput togetheronlyshowthe process,butthe sawblades never essentiallygettothe engine.

That’s substantiallypartof Rijker’s point,however—helikelywantsthe clarityof imminent severe threatto elicit tensionratherthanthe tangible destruction.Hesayshis self-destruction piecesare“madetocreate consolationamong humans but tellurian traits.” Callthem“suicide machines” feels thelittle bit exploitiveand sensationalist,butthereis something tranquilabout examinationthese machines solemnly worktheir approach towardstheir contingent demise.