Cup Set: Schnabel Espresso

Schnabel's series of seven porcelain cups and saucers for illy features his longtime inspiration, the surfer-character Chuck. There are five espresso cups, each labeled for a different weekday, and each sporting Chuck wearing a new expression. In keeping with the surfer theme, the espresso collection package is shaped like a life-preserver. The "Saturday" and "Sunday" cups are full-size mugs, again featuring Chuck, suggesting more time to relax and enjoy a cup of illy.

Designed by Julian Schnabel for illy. New York-born Julian Schnabel is best known for his leading role in the mid-1980's neo-expressionism movement, where bold, emotionally-charged work contrasted with the minimalism dominant at the time. In addition to his physical creations, Schnabel wrote and directed two films: Basquiat (1996) and Before Night Falls (2000). His seven cup series joins illy Collection Creations by James Rosenquist, Jeff Koons, Francis Ford Coppola and other prominent artists.