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 fifth design of the 100 designs created. Kenojuak Ashevak was a celebrated Canadian Inuit artist. Her drawings and prints, comprised of simple, stylized motifs and coded symbols of Inuit culture and folklore, brought her international acclaim. “There is no word for art,” she once said. “We say it is to transfer something from the real to the unreal. I am an owl, and I am a happy owl. I like to make people happy and everything happy. I am the light of happiness and I am a dancing owl.” In addition to her best-known works, she also maintained a diverse practice which included soapstone carving, textiles, and design. Born on October 3, 1927 in the Inuit camp of Ikirasaq in Northwest Canada, Ashevak became regarded as a notable pioneer of Modern Inuit art, with her art becoming diffused into Canadian culture through its reproductions on postage stamps, currency, and exhibits in national museums. She was inducted in Canada's Walk of Fame in 2001 before her death on January 8, 2013 on Dorset Island, Canada at the age of 85. Due to the overwhelming demand for vases decorated by particular designers, twelve designs were re-issued in an extra numbered edition (500 pieces of each design) also in 1992. This is number 70/500. In excellent condition, has only stood for decoration. 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.