AUTOMA
The Automa collection by Martin Massé explores the ancestral art of stacking, where geometric forms—rectangular prisms, spheres, and cylinders—interlock in compositions that evoke both balance and tension. Referencing the totems of early civilizations and the rock cairns that have guided travelers since prehistoric times, Massé’s collection translates these archetypal structures into a contemporary design language. Each work oscillates between solidity and precariousness, engaging the viewer in a dialogue between gravity and equilibrium
The collection’s formal clarity is animated by a playful approach to structure. Automa recalls the intuitive logic of childhood building games, where shapes and volumes are assembled through an instinctive sense of composition. This interplay of precision and spontaneity draws from the legacy of the Memphis movement, particularly the work of Ettore Sottsass, known for his architectonic compositions and dynamic superimpositions. Here, Massé refines these influences into a more restrained and essentialist vision, distilling the expressive potential of stacked forms while maintaining a rigorously minimal aesthetic
Each material is essential to the collection’s sense of play, mystery, and warmth. The rich depth of stained wenge wood, finished with a satin varnish, lends a timeless sophistication to the whimsical compositions. Upholstery in understated Kvadrat virgin wool introduces a quiet tactile contrast to the bold geometric volumes. The collection’s monolithic bench, sculpted from Rosso Luana marble, anchors the series with its richly colored veining and geological exuberance
Handcrafted in france by the storied stone cutters at Ateliers Saint-Jacques and master cabinetmakers at ateliers racines, each work is crafted with exceptional precision, underscoring the inherent tension between mass and lightness, structure and play. In limited editions of twelve, the Automa collection transforms elementary forms into a study of equilibrium, celebrating humanity’s timeless need to play and create meaning
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