Erwin Wurm's ONKEL is the product of a collaboration with the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM), a porcelain manufacturer located in Berlin, with a rich history dating back to the middle of the 18th-century. For this unique edition, Wurm designed a vase that takes the form of the torso of a figure in a suit and button-up shirt, though missing certain defining features. The opening of ONKEL is where the head of this figure might be, hollowed out to allow for flowers or other arrangements to take their place within the object. The so-called "body" of the vase is in fact a body, without head or hands, but standing upright, a contemporary update to the noble figures that once employed the regal porcelain studios.
As each vase is created according to production standards that have been in place for over 250 years at KPM, it takes roughly one month to produce just 5 editions of ONKEL. Additionally, each edition of the vase is uniquely finished with varying combinations of glazed and matte sections of the eight primary elements: collar, buttons, lapels, pockets, jacket, waistband, pants, and shirt. A detailed list of all available variations will be updated regularly.
