I recently read a short article in ReadyMade (March/April 2005 - p. 50) about
Tobias Wong. He is doing interesting thing examining wealth and materialism in our culture with things like making a diamond ring with the sharp point sticking out, lighters covered in expensive furs, non-breakable chandeliers (dipped in industrial rubber), bulletproof quilted bedspreads, and my favorite:ingestible capsules filled with silver leaf to make your shit pretty.
Unfortunately, I can imagine people in this world actually buying some of these things. But I guess that is his point, making the audience feel discomfort by reminding them it is all too possible.