Design

Clown around with our top 3 picks from Alessi’s new range designed by Marcel Wanders

SEP 7, 2016 | By Nishita Fiji
The Jester a corkscrew that is shaped like a clown. He stands on a pedestal that hides the screw in the device while his hat can be used as a handle.
The Ballerina is a musical box that plays the tune The March of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, a melody that opens circus shows the world over.
The Strongman is a muscular nutcracker who breaks nuts and hearts in equal measure. A slight turn of the dumbbells above him are enough to crush a nut placed below his boots.
Alessi Circus consists of 29 products including bowls, mugs and trays. Additionally, it comprises five limited edition Officina Alessi pieces that represent typical circus characters.
A parallel universe full of vibrant hues, dazzling lights, enigmatic characters and an atmosphere dense with excitement, circuses has always been symbolic of entertainment of the purest kind. Condensing all these sentiments into a clean line of tableware and home accessories is the Alessi Circus collection designed by Marcel Wanders.
The range consists of 29 products including various bowls, mugs and trays. Additionally, it comprises five limited edition Officina Alessi pieces that represent typical circus characters. Marcel spun elaborate stories around each product, giving them personalities of their own.
We suggest you pick up the limited edition pieces as fast as you can as there are only 999 numbered copies and nine artist’s proofs. Three of the stories we’re particularly fond of are:
The Jester
A joker named Gilberto enjoys spinning about in drunken joy, while unscrewing a series of wine bottles. This persona takes form in a corkscrew that is shaped like a clown. He stands on a pedestal that hides the screw in the device while his hat can be used as a handle.
The Ballerina
Baby elephant Valentina is a graceful ballet dancer who was trained by a renowned mouse choreographer. Their romantic story is captured in the form of a musical box that plays the tune The March of the Gladiators by Julius Fucik, a melody that opens circus shows the world over.
The Strongman
A young man named Marcello realised his passion for demolition as he stomped grapes in his parents’ vineyard. He now takes the shape of a muscular nutcracker who breaks nuts and hearts in equal measure. Once a nut is placed below his laced boots, a slight turn of the dumbbells above him are enough to crush it.
Website: www.alessi.com/en
Also read: Marcel Wanders’ exquisite Eyewear Collection for Safilo is for every design lover