Axel Chay is a self-taught designer who draws his inspiration from the Mediterranean, in which he loves to swim. His inspiration is fueled by the evocative colors, graphic waves, and sensual curves of the Mediterranean – that feels like an ode to women, whose solar sensuality, and free spirit give birth to his contemporary, sculptural pieces. Donald Judd, Julio Le Parc and Tom Wesselmann are all figures that inspire his designs. His works pay tribute to kinetic art and the Memphis movement. Experimenting with new materials serves as his playground. His technical and singular creations are enriched with steel, aluminum, cork, wood, expanded foam and plaster. Breaking away from current design trends, Axel seeks rarity and a radical aesthetic that makes the object a sculptural piece with a real presence in space. His projects, whether in interior design, decoration, design or art, reflect his love of the Mediterranean.

1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I was born in Nîmes in 1990, grew up there until age ion 11 moved to Marseille. 

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

When I visited MOMA in NY at the age of 15.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

I can say yes, but not full-time. Since I started my previous design studio after business school.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

My brother’s creations. He is an artist, and I have always loved his creations. This is first serve of sculpture/ furniture that motivated us  (my previous business partner) to start our design studio.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

I do not have special creative process, it is very natural and sensitive one. I  can easily create under pressure and also without. For me influence is everywhere: daily life, history, internet.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

Since, we do a lot of auto-edition, my typical day of work is never the same. It is a lot of work and I do many things during my day, but I always start by bringing my Childs to school.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

It was natural for me to use « metal » since my brother can easily transform it. Our grand-father was wheelwright and our father owned a metallic construction company. 

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

Most of them have no technical particularities, but they are all crafted and require a lot of hard work (welding and polishing).

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

Do what you really want to do, and listen to yourself. And most of all, persist. 

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

None.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

All of them.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Many, but Muller van severen is one of my best.

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Many, but mostly artists from Grave movement (le parc, Garcia Rossi, Yvaral, Sobrino, Morellet).

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Freedom and Pride

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)