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

I am Pepe Albargues, Co-founder of Missana. I was born in a tiny village called Massalaves located 40km south of Valencia in Spain and I am still living there.

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

I have always been connected to the art world in such a way, but it is difficult to give a precise memory on it. I would say I’m passionate of art in general since I can remember.

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

Yes, I have always worked in the design world and started exploring new techniques in the 3D world just a few months ago.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

I am a designer and my passion for upholstery plus my Mediterranean location, my love for light and nature have led me to the design creation.

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

I believe that the inspiration on my creative process comes from all what is around me. I just need to reflect, note them and start working on them. But I also like to interact and talk with people around the world. Traveling is extremely important as you are always inspired by the experiences you get from that.

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

I am an early bird, so my working day starts at 5:30am. As I am also responsible for the production department at Missana, the first thing I do is to check everything is going as it is expected. –then, I go straight to carry on with new prototypes. I always have new products to develop on my working desk

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

Because they were determined not only by my inspiration but also by the product itself.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

Basically, the technique I use in all my creations is artisanal with a lot of care and detail

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

First of all, I would say that they have to do what they are good at, what is easy for them and, above all, what they love showing passion with it without giving up.

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

Perhaps my designs belong to the avant-garde movement, but an expert could define it better than me

11. What designers have influenced you ?

I am not that sure who I have been influenced by, but without any doubts by several designers as they are the source you are seeing, exploring, analyzing every single moment.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

I love Jaime Ayon’s work, but there are plenty of contemporary designers I really admire for their creativity.

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

I think it is more or less the same answer as the previous one, I guess I have been inspired by plenty of circumstances, by a special trip, by a film or theatre play as they are my favourite entertainments.

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

I would say without sounding too much pretentious that my creations are a mixture between tradition and authenticity

15. Is there anything you would like to add ?

Just to say we live in an amazing world surrounded by a priceless beauty.

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…)