While I’d love to provide the juicy details regarding the background of Ukranian designer Alexsander Mukomelov and exactly how he was inspired to create the unusual, captivating, and manifestly-programmable Infinity Tub, the website for Studio Mukomelov shows only the inscrutable verticality of Cyrillic Russian. Thusly in mind of the failings of Google translation (and lacking the presence of a human translator), my only recourse is the dueling visages of Mukomelovs (one young, smiling, and dapper; one older and glaring and deftly balancing a cigarette from the far niches of his mouth).

The Infinity Tub. Designed by Alexsander Mukomelov.

Since I can’t tell which of the two is the precise origin of Infinity, I prefer to think of designer A. Mukomelov as a hybrid of these figures–the one Artiste providing the unusual aesthetic of Infinity (which one critic has described as “two tubs crashing together”), and the other Technician contributing the high-tech aspects (mini-computer enabling customized–and off-site–control of temp, flow, massage-jet mode, even scent release, music, and addition of pine oil, sea salt, etc.).

Mukomelov’s prototype specifies Duralight, a lightweight, moldable composite that Mukomelov conjectures will facilitate subtle apertures on the sides of the tub to allow seamless/faucet-less flow (what he calls “silent water valves”). The material also allows integration of a similarly hidden niche for scent, soap, and oil cartridges, each of which are activated at the user’s behest.

The scheme joins others of its ilk (Hafro’s Etoile and Saturn’s TV Tub, for instance) that pose the following million dollar question: “why can’t bathing be a full sensory experience?” Infinity does its part by, yes, emphasizing the sensations of scent and sound in addition to touch, but also by introducing the humble bath to the manifold convenience of our wired-in world: I can see the iBath App on the near horizon–“How does your favorite celebrity unwind from the daily grind? Choose from Brad Pitt’s surprising fusion of the soft sounds of Kenny G and the soothing scent of lavender; or Stephen Colbert’s Great American trio featuring the Star-Spangled Banner, coal tar emulsion, and scent of hot dogs and apple pie…”

The scenario has a bit of a dystopian ring that makes it somewhat problematic for yours truly, but no matter. Whichever way you, or your favorite cultural icons, like to cleanse and relax, Infinity will someday make it so.

Via TrendsNow.