Alessandro M. Corkscrew

The Alessandro M. Corkscrew was created by Alessandro Mendini for the Italian label Alessi.

Since 1921, Alessi has been producing functional and innovative products for the home that often have a humorous element. The stated mission of the label is to bring art and industry closer together, combining traditional skills with the latest materials and technologies. Italian-born Alessandro Mendini is an architect, artist, designer and writer. He was a leader in revitalising Italian design in the 1980's, creating work that strongly references popular culture and the kitsch. Among his most recent awards is the European Prize for Architecture.

The Alessandro M. Corkscrew, originally designed in 2003, is totally typical of Mendini's work where a humorous approach to design works hand in hand with functionality. The corkscrew is crafted from coloured thermoplastic resin and chrome-plated Zamak a zinc alloy . The body of the corkscrew is in the shape of a man, while the functional element makes the man's cap and smiling face. When not in use it makes an attractive kitchen ornament and can sit alongside other Mendini corkscrew characters. The dimensions of the Alessandro M. Corkscrew are 21 x 6 cm.