Do Not Litter Vase

Do Not Litter Vase

1971
Designer
Tapio Wirkkala, Finnish, 1915-1985
Born: Hanko, Finland
Work Locations: Helsinki, Finland
Manufacturer
Rosenthal China Corporation
Work Locations: Bavaria, Germany
Active Dates: 1879-
Country
Germany
Object
vase
Medium
Porcelain
Accession Number
2015.512
Credit Line
Gift of the Collection of Carl Patterson

Tapio Wirkkala, Do Not Litter Vase, 1971. Porcelain; 5 x 2 5/8 x 2 3/8 in. Manufactured by Rosenthal, Selb, Germany. Denver Art Museum: Gift of the Collection of Carl Patterson, 2015.512.

Dimensions
height: 5 in, 12.7000 cm; width: 2 5/8 in, 6.6675 cm; depth: 2 3/8 in, 6.0325 cm
Inscription
Marked: Do Not Litter 4746/74 Pacco Bello
Department
Architecture and Design
Collection
Architecture and Design
This object is currently on view

Tapio Wirkkala contributed to the modern environmentalist movement with his “Do Not Litter” series by taking single-use items, such as a crumpled paper bag, can, or milk carton, and molding them at full scale in porcelain. Colorado’s recycling rate today is only 17%, and about 95% of items thrown away in local landfills could have been recycled or composted.

Known Provenance
Gifted 2015 by Carl Patterson to the Denver Art Museum.
Exhibition History
  • “Design Studio” — Denver Art Museum, 10/24/2021 – 12/31/2022