What day & time is it? What do you usually do at this time of the week?
« Monday, 10.20am. It’s never the same. Today I’ve been looking after my son and I’m preparing a commission for a gallery across the Atlantic. »
Watered-down colours, graphic lines, unusual materials and pop references: welcome to the phantasmagorical world of Axel Chay. The self-taught designer set up his studio two years ago in the city of Marseille. There, he explores new materials and revisits regressive trends such as Memphis, reinterpreting the art of Julio Le Parc or Tom Wesselmann.
His trademark? Tubes and plumbing pipes that he reincarnates into offbeat seats, lights and sculptures. More recently, he has created an armchair with curves reminiscent of a crocodile’s jaw, or a graphic planter supported by small round feet… A true ode to play and childhood. Axel talks to us about his inspirations and future projects.
Your current creative desires?
What project are you most busy with at the moment?
« Too many different things! I have just finalised my catalogue with the BILLY agency in Marseille and now I am working on several interior design projects and in parallel I am continuing to develop new objects. »
A material you have recently used?
« The glass. »
What has shaped your taste?
« It’s impossible to say. I think everything influences me constantly. But my wife is definitely the person who inspires me the most. »
Form, function or fantasy?
« Phantasmagoria! »
A colour range that has always followed you?
« Light pink RAL 3015 and green RAL 6024. »
Your colormatch of the moment?
« Beige, brown and green. »
Your last 3 artistic favourites?
« I loved Paolo Sorrentino’s film The Hand of God, as I do all his works. I’m also discovering all the literary masterpieces of Joseph Kessel at the moment, and then the post-punk band Crystal Stilts. »
The next design piece you would like to buy?
« Terje Ekström’s Ekstrem flesh, I just ordered it! »
The latest designer you’ve spotted?
« The Californian clothing brand BODE. »
Artists who influence you?
« The Argentine painter and sculptor Julio Le Parc and the American painter Tom Wesselmann. »
3 inspiring Instagram accounts?
Artists, personalities you would like to have dinner with?
« Gérard Depardieu for drinking and bullshit ».
An address you would like to discover?
« I want to visit Naples and stay at Gio Ponti’s hotel in Sorrento. »
The place you could go back to every week?
« The island of Naoshima in Japan. »
The architect who would build your dream house?
« Tadao Ando. »
Was there a scenography that stood out for you?
« All the installations by the artist James Turrell that I have had the chance to see. »
