The Juicy Salif citrus squeezer , now described by its creator as a small allien who came to visit our homes is truly an iconic object. Created in 1988, the lemon squeezer made from aluminum casting is one of PhilippeStarck's first projects for Alessi. In the fifties, he became managing director of the company, introducing a new international dimension, which he developed by working with external designers. While eating a dish of squid and squeezing a lemon over it, Starck drew on the napkin his famous lemon squeezer. There has also been a grey/black ( anthracite) coloured version, of which 47,000 un-numbered examples were produced between 1991 and 2004.

Besides squeezing lemons, the primary function of the unconventional, sculptural citrus squeezer is to start conversations. The squeezer impresses with its futuristic look, which is reminiscent of both a rocket and the filigree shape of a spider - the actual function takes a back seat.Born in Granerolo, Verbania, in 1916, Carlo Alessi studied technical design at the OMAR institute in Novara. In conclusion, Alessi has established itself as a leading brand in the world of design, offering a unique blend of functionality, aesthetics, and innovation. But the device is not easy to use, and its polished aluminum finish is vulnerable to corrosion and producing an unpleasant taste, as conceded in its official instructions. And when questions arose (regarding a bookshelf that needed clever assembly), their representatives in Finland were so helpful and thoughtful. A truly iconic object and symbol, not only of Philippe Starck but of Alessi itself, this citrus squeezer - as revolutionary as it is surprisingly functional - was sketched in its essentials by Starck during a holiday by the sea in Italy, on a pizzeria napkin.

It is the most controversial squeezer of the century I must say, but one of the most amusing projects I have done in my career. Alberto Alessi, in a recorded video interview posted on Dezeen, said "I am very happy with this project because I consider it a big joke to everybody. With its collaborations with visionary designers, meticulous craftsmanship, and commitment to sustainability, Alessi continues to captivate design enthusiasts and redefine the way we perceive everyday objects. Critics have suggested the juicer emphasizes form over function as it does not perform well in practice, but Starck has argued that although it does work as a lemon squeezer, it was actually made to start conversation.If you are planning a visit to our showroom to see a specific product, please contact us first, to ensure it will be on display. Made of cast and polished aluminum by the Italian kitchenware company Alessi, the tool measures 14 centimetres (5. They started on the left, and as they worked their way over to the right, they took on the unmistakable shape of what was to become the juicy salif.

This philosophy has made him one of the pioneers and central figures of the concept of democratic design. Celebrated by some and criticised by others the Juicy Salif certainly serves its purpose as a tool that's "not meant to squeeze lemons, but meant to start conversations" which is what Starck supposedly described it as. It’s an conceptual squeezer though… an “what if”… It’s a dream and a desire, but never fulfilled… so, it’s indeed a statement to the vain desires of men. Starck's designs are frequently mysterious in their ambiguity—their purpose is not always at once identifiable.In my work with the Modernist Collection at the Museum, I was to come across an object that I would later discover to be the most controversial lemon squeezer in history—at least, that is how designer Philippe Starck describes it. Designed in 1990, the design for the controversial kitchen utensil was sketched onto a pizzeria napkin by Stark whilst dining on holiday in Italy.