Edible Gold, Once More, With Feeling

Instead of a lengthy 2007 “best of” food list, we proudly present you (via The Gurgling Cod) with this single edible, the latest and hopefully last stunt luxury foodstuff in a year remorselessly filled with them. It comes, somewhat improbably and definitely ironically, from the gift shop at the newly opened New Museum, and it’s got karats: Edible gold crumbled into capsules, a massive $275 for the starter set. Shown here to the left, a stunning collection of three at $91.67 a pop. But what a rush.

Designed and made by Tobias Wong and Just Another Rich Kid, the New Museum’s website explains: “Pure gold passes straight through the body and ends up in your stool resulting in sparkly shit!”

First of all, if you feel this last sentence calls for a half dozen more exclamation points, you’re not the only one. Second, if you’ve been giving some serious thought to turning your poop gold, these pills are offered at a 10% discount for Museum members, so there’s never been a better time to join. Other places are selling these same gold poop pills for $429, and there’s no way of telling where today’s art-food-shit market is going. However, cheese puffs at the New Museum's Cafe are still $5 an order.

As is the case with restaurant markups, like a $15 steak that costs $60 at a white tablecloth and antique candelabra place, the price of these pills may make you curious about going DIY. If gold poop is on your “must have” list this season but your budget is small, some art supply gold leaf from Pearl, a few empty gelatin capsules (there may not be a vegan option), and a clean, folded sheet of photocopy paper (for pouring) should get the job done for less than $40. Just don’t accuse us of being anti-gold-poop-art-for-art's sake, or guilty of a Giuliani/dung freakout like, and keep your fingers crossed that food in 2008 comes with a little less glitter on both ends of the digestive tract.

New Museum, 235 Bowery. (212) 219-1222