1. Tell us about your very first memory related to art.

Axel Chay: It was probably my visit to the Guggenheim Museum in New York when I was 14. That experience left a lasting impression. I still remember the almost unreal feeling of discovering that bold, avant-garde architecture in the heart of Manhattan. And then there was the collection itself, opulent, daring, sometimes puzzling. Some works were beyond my comprehension, others captivated me. Above all, I realized there was immense freedom in modern creation: abstract forms, bold colors, radical gestures.

2. Today, what is your relationship with art? Why is it important in your life and in your work as a designer?

Axel Chay: Art is a way to express oneself, subtly or overtly, like literature or music. It’s indispensable to me. Art, in all its forms, is one of the most important mental escapes, it allows us to access uncontrollable, beautiful sensations. It adds depth to everyday moments.

Art nourishes me, as I hope it nourishes most people. In that sense, it is both a field of freedom and a medium for sharing.

3. How would you describe your work? What makes your universe recognizable at first glance?

Axel Chay: Describing one’s own work always requires some distance. I would say my approach revolves mainly around simple, almost elemental forms. I aim to reduce design to its essence, removing the superfluous to retain only the right line, the necessary curve, the obvious structure.

I also pursue a sense of timelessness. Creating an object that endures requires moving away from fleeting trends, with the goal of making pieces that leave an impression, objects capable of provoking a reaction.

My work is often recognizable thanks to the specific tube diameter I habitually use. This technical choice has become a signature. The tube is not just a structural element; it shapes the silhouette, imposes rhythm, and creates visual continuity.

From this simplicity arises a sculptural intent. My objects are not merely functional, they occupy space, assert a presence, and I like that a piece can be perceived as a sculpture.

4. If you had to introduce your work to someone who doesn’t know you yet with a single piece, which one would it be and why?



Axel Chay: I would show the “Modulation” floor lamp, it perfectly embodies what I just described.

5. What inspires you? Where do you look for ideas?

Axel Chay: Everything inspires me, music, books, travel, encounters.

But inspiration alone isn’t enough. I also try to deeply understand design history, to know what came before, in what context, and with what intentions. This is essential!

It helps place one’s work in a continuum, avoid unconscious repetition, and transform influence into conscious choice. Understanding why a form was created, why a movement prevailed, or why an object became iconic adds depth to creation.

6. Which artists do you admire or feel connected to, and why?



Axel Chay: Many architects and designers, but what touches me most are the artists. Often they are from a bygone era, living lives completely different from ours, lives we couldn’t or wouldn’t live today. But the greatest artists, those most admired, are often people we might not have wanted in our family.

7. Finally, what are your latest projects or upcoming news?

Axel Chay: We’re presenting a new furniture collection with about ten pieces. It’s called “Voyage” and will be unveiled during Matter & Shape from March 6 to 9, in a limited edition of eight pieces per design.

Their favorite artworks