gary baseman - Lovely Package

“The launch of 1800 Colección® showcases the brand’s commitment to art and innovation, especially through creative packaging. 1800® Tequila commissioned Gary Baseman, a famed Los Angeles-based artist known for his dynamic pop art imagery, to create a stunning sculpture to encase the exceptional liquid. Baseman designed a pewter decanter he calls “Sirena Del Deseo” (translates to “Mermaid of Desire”), which tells the tragic story of true love and the fight to achieve it. This tale, about a Mexican warrior who perishes in the sea after traveling into the ocean depths in search of his enchanted mermaid, was the brainchild of Baseman, who was inspired by a trip to Mexico to witness the 1800® Tequila production process. The handmade decanter, which took close to three years to create, exhibits Baseman’s artistic philosophy of “the beauty of the bittersweetness of life.”

“Featuring original artwork by a variety of both established and up-an-coming artists, each of the six bottles is a unique interpretation of the masked heroes of lucha libre, or professional Mexican wrestling.

The 1800® Essential Artists collection is an opportunity to collaborate with and showcase the talents of urban artists in a unique mix of palette and palate. In recent years, tequila has emerged as the discerning drink du jour, appearing on many of the country’s premier cocktail menus and winning over the discriminating tastes of a younger, modern crowd with its clean flavor and unmistakable kick. Through the launch of Essential Artists, 1800® brings a contemporary, artistic edge to the tequila category.

“We’re excited to offer another round of Essential Artists bottles, as we received an overwhelmingly positive response to our first two campaigns,” said Elwyn Gladstone, VP of Marketing for Proximo. “Emerging artists can struggle for years before seeing their work recognized on a national scale, but the creative genius behind the submissions and the incredible demand from consumers has allowed us to expand this program and feature six more artists, on our way to showcasing 1,800 inspired submissions.”