The Juicy Salif by Philip Starck is one of the most iconic and obscure designs of modern culture. The shape of the Juicy Salif is what first attracts the human eye, immediately grabbing any onlookers’ attention. An elongated teardrop with three solid tentacles in aluminum casting, resembling a large metal spider, the Juicy Salif is no ordinary lemon squeezer. Futuristic, sleek and unique in design, it screams post-modernism. The disproportionate number of legs juxtaposes to its clean lines and mirror polish that emphasizes its high design. Largely used in the construction of aircrafts and packaging, Aluminum is somewhat of an unusual choice for a kitchen appliance, especially as the acid in the lemon is likely to stain the metal due to the occurrence of a chemical reaction (Julier, 2008).
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Over half a million Juicy Salifs were sold at a rate of 50,000 per year between the first year of manufacture and 2003. (Lees-Maffei, n.d.) It now retails for £49 in stores such as Harrods, John Lewis, Selfridges and other various online shops. This not only gives an inclination of its success but also shows that it targets the design conscious and savvy consumer.
Starck originally designed the Juicy Salif on a paper napkin, whilst dining at a restaurant on the Amalfi coast, he stated,
“this vision of a squid-like lemon squeezer came upon me…”
This napkin is now on display at the Alessi Museum, Milan. (Watson-Smyth, 2010)
In addition, the Juicy Salif itself has been displayed in the Metropolitan museum of art, Mint museum of Art and other well-established museums. (Alessi.com, 2015) From this, it is evident that the Juicy Salif is not just a simple domestic appliance, but also a piece of art. It is recognisable and iconic, which controversially compensates for its lack of
Over half a million Juicy Salifs were sold at a rate of 50,000 per year between the first year of manufacture and 2003. (Lees-Maffei, n.d.) It now retails for £49 in stores such as Harrods, John Lewis, Selfridges and other various online shops. This not only gives an inclination of its success but also shows that it targets the design conscious and savvy consumer.
Starck originally designed the Juicy Salif on a paper napkin, whilst dining at a restaurant on the Amalfi coast, he stated,
“this vision of a squid-like lemon squeezer came upon me…”
This napkin is now on display at the Alessi Museum, Milan. (Watson-Smyth, 2010)
In addition, the Juicy Salif itself has been displayed in the Metropolitan museum of art, Mint museum of Art and other well-established museums. (Alessi.com, 2015) From this, it is evident that the Juicy Salif is not just a simple domestic appliance, but also a piece of art. It is recognisable and iconic, which controversially compensates for its lack of