DESIGN FOCUS
Audoux Minet
"I believe that we should design for everyone, not just for a privileged few." - Adrien Audoux
Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet were a French-Swiss design duo whose Audoux Minet collection left an indelible impression on modernist design. (Sometimes also referred to as Audoux Minnet in their branding - which features a small graphic of a cat, and is a deliberate play on words as 'Minnet' that translates from french to english as kitty). The pair were not only pioneering designers but also skilled craftsmen who valued sustainable materials and practices long before it became a mainstream concern.
As members of the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM), they were part of a group of designers and artists who advocated for a new, more functional approach to design in 1929. At that time, many designers created luxurious, ornate pieces catering to the wealthy elite. The UAM rejected this approach and focused on creating simple, functional objects made from sustainable materials. Counted among its members were some of the most influential designers of the day, including Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Pierre Jeanneret. The UAM's manifesto 'we must rise up against everything that looks rich' and their work profoundly impacted the field of design, shaping the modernist aesthetic that continues to influence designers today. Although their designs were initially intended to be accessible to all, their distinctive design aesthetic has recently gained significant popularity. As a result, there has been an increase in demand and cost, which would likely have exceeded the expectations of the designers.
Audoux and Minet's work extended beyond furniture design to include lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even toys. Their designs featured a simple, organic aesthetic, with an emphasis on the inherent qualities of materials, favouring down-to-earth materials like wood, tubular steel, and rope cord. Their aesthetic was rustic yet sophisticated, resulting in unique furniture pieces that combined modernist design with nautical and sculptural elements. Their rope designs were a recurring feature, using woven abaca (hemp rope) to create chairs, tables, and lamps with intricate knots and weaves. Their work transformed an otherwise utilitarian material into a beautiful and versatile design element, creating intricate patterns and textures that added depth and dimension to their pieces.
With its emphasis on simplicity, sustainability, and functionality, their collection remains relevant today, inspiring modern designers with its timeless reverence.
Tigmi have a curation of these pieces currently available in our Byron Bay studio. Please click the link below to be taken to current stock on hand.
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Hero Image - Photographed by Alicia Taylor
1. Audoux Minet Sideboard - Photographed by Alicia Taylor
2. Audoux Minet Rope Chairs - Photographed by Alicia Taylor
3. Union & Artists Modernes at Musée des Arts Décoratifs,1930
4. Rope Lamp - via Atelier Vime
5. Audoux Minet Coffee Table
6. Audoux Minet Rope Chairs Photographed by Terence Chin for Akin Atelier.