A 16.78 carat natural yellow diamond (Fancy Vivid Yellow SI1, Radiant shape, value $2,000,000) is covered with the blackest black on earth, which makes the diamond appear to disappear.

Grown nanotubes, tiny hollow carbon cylinders, will shape a microscopic ‘forest’ on the shiny surface of the diamond. When a photon enters the spatial forest structure, which is mainly consisting of empty space, it is encaged and bounces around until it dissipates as heat. The carbon nanotubes (short CNT’s) absorb 99.965% of the light.

Any object covered with this material loses all its plasticity and appears entirely flat, abbreviated to a black silhouette, by erasing any shadow in outright contradiction to this we see that a diamond, while made of the very same element (carbon), enacts the most intense reflection of light on earth.

The different structural forms of the arrangement of the carbon atoms create opposing extremes in appearance on exposure to light. In formal respect the project represents the paradoxical combination of two opposites coinciding in the same object. The form that maximizes the return of light (diamond cut) is covered with a surface that maximizes its absorption. In effect the CNT’s material properties appear almost “immaterial”, as the void of a black hole.

The covered diamond is presented on a small elongated golden foot encased in a safety class chamber mounted onto a pedestal. In order to be able to “see” the deprivation as efficiently as possible, the display is equipped with illuminated magnifiers. Part of the display is an armed security guard.

The project explores how material and immaterial value is attached to objects and concepts in reference to luxury, society and to art.

The literal devaluation of an object of highly symbolic and economic value can be understood in respect to the embracing forces of art market mechanism on the one hand, while expressing at the same time questions of the value of art in its more broader sense.



We use a new developed method patented by MIT that is measurable the blackest black on earth, that can be used by any artist.

We do not believe in exclusive ownership of concepts, ideas or materials in the arts.



Author of the Concept: Diemut Strebe

Diemut Strebe, Display for Diamond



Frame with 2 magnifying glasses; Daylight Company, Omega 7 lens, 175mm; Skylight: Fotodiox Pro 18x18 inch dimmable color photo LED;



Frame: square tubes or bars 20 x 20mm; steel epoxy coating white, RAL 9010; Pedestal steel epoxy coating white, RAL 9010 Diamond display: glass dome, 250 x 350 x 5mm: Schott Duran, high transparent colorless glass; solid brass base, top gold plated: Diamond support cone, gold 18 carat; solid or 3D printed.