In 1990 Officina Alessi acquired the rights to the 'Tendentse' project that concerned ceramics. Initiated in 1985 by Ettore Sottsass, Adolfo Natalini, Andrea Branzi and Alessandro Mendini, the project aimed at experimental research into handmade objects and their 'emotional content', which could inform and inspire the design of mass-produced objects. Ceramics had been selected because of the ancient origins of the medium's forms, decorations and processes. The results of first experiments were objects forming the initial 'Tendentse' collection launched in 1989. Following Alessi's acquisition of the 'Tendentse' project, experiments focussed on the ceramic vase, 'one of mankind's most ancestral wares' (A. Mendini, 'The 100% make-up', p.118, in: Alessi Design factory, 1994). In 1992, the firm released ten thousand vases from 'The 100% make-up' series which formed a spectacular highlight of the 'Tendentse' collection. All vases were wheel-thrown and cast in white porcelain to one basic design by Alessandro Mendini. Identical in form, colour and material, they began their life as most of mass-produced objects do. The similarity ended there however, as the vases were then decorated with one hundred different designs commissioned from one hundred artists, architects and designers from Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Each design was copied on one hundred vases, each vase being individually numbered and stamped with names of all contributing designers. This vase is the 91st design of the 100 designs created. So there are 100 designers who created a design and 100 of each design were made, amounting to 10,000 vases. Guido Venturini Venturini was born in Alfonsine (RA) 1957. He graduated in Architecture in Florence and then moved to Milan where he works in the field of design. His objects, known for their strong iconic charge, between dream and reality, recall the images and power of nature and mythology. He is one of the founders of Bolidism. He created 'King Kong Production' together with Stefano Giovannoni, initiating the collaboration with Alessi, for which he designed several bestsellers and numerous families of commercially successful products. His works have been the subject of various national and international exhibitions and awards and are published in the most important magazines in the sector. He has taught at the Faculty of Architecture in Florence, and has been a lecturer at the Brera Academy and the Domus Academy in Milan. Since 2000, he has perfected his skills at the Scuola degli Artefici, Scuola Libera del Nudo and the Brera Academy in Milan, and his interest has extended from design to painting. In excellent condition, has only stood for decoration - including original documentation ans packaging Height: 39.5 cm Width: 13.5 cm Alessandro Mendini Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. He has edited Casabella, Modo and Domus. He was awarded the prize Compasso d'Oro. Among his most significant works were the Groninger Museum of Groningen, the Casino of Arosa and the Forum of Omegna. He reinvented the Alessi image for whom he has been meta-projectual consultant. He has been a designer, an architect and an image consultant for companies like Philips, Swarovski, Swatch and Bisazza. He died on 18 February 2019.