Alexandra Tsoukala - minimum design

“minimum design” is a small workshop that hand produces light sculptures and useful art objects. This effort began in 1992 in a small design studio in the center of Athens. The essence of my work is that it must be useful with the identity of its material recognizable and not try to imitate. Often my inspiration comes from the materials themselves. When I first held in my hands the pleated fabric I use now for my lights, I was immediately inspired by its folds and movement.  When I first held in my hands a plastic stiffener new ideas emerged new shapes resulted. And one thing leads to another. It’s like opening a window and then another and another. It’s capturing.
What characterizes my work is honest construction, logic, simplicity, self-evidence with a little humor thrown in.The construction must be clear and the form, a result of both its construction and its materials. Often a game is in play, but the principal, and most important, reason for the work is never lost sight of, which is, that it must serve the initial function that it was created for.

The design phase, the metal construction, the final assembly, the electrical integration and the packaging happens inside the studio. Painting, nickel plating, fabric pleating and stitching is done in external workshops.
Every single light sculpture is crafted entirely by hand. Therefore each one is unique and not identical to any other.

Award
 2008: “Certificate of Excellence” by the Committee of German Manufacturers at the “Form 2008” for the lamp “CLIT”, Contest, at the “TENDENCE” exhibition in Frankfurt.