Coca-Cola Converter By Helmut Smits

WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES Ronald Smits via wired.com

Multi-talented Dutch artist Helmut Smits has developed a machine that transforms a bottle of Coca-Cola (via purification methods) into distilled drinking water within 24 hours.

The installation, entitled “The Real Thing”, a play on one of Coca-Cola’s many slogans, resembles a laboratory experiment. It was on display at the Sense Nonsense exhibit during the latest Dutch Design Week.

As he had no background in chemistry, Helmut joined forces with scientists from the University of Amsterdam’s Synthetic Organic Chemistry Group to plan his complicated piece.

The concept behind “The Real Thing” is to raise awareness. Consumer goods are more readily available to people around the world than fresh drinking water.

For more information about this project, visit helmutsmits.nl.