Davy Grosemans (ÆTHER/MASS)
ÆTHER/MASS was founded in Brussels in 2022 as a way for Davy Grosemans to reclaim his personal voice in design after years spent navigating the demands of client‑driven work. With over two decades of experience as an industrial designer and interior architect, he was constantly balancing expectations, budgets, and differing opinions. ÆTHER/MASS creates a space where he can explore ideas freely, without external constraints—an independent realm of pure expression in which he serves as both creator and critic.
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aethermass.comBio
"ÆTHER/MASS emerged from a belief in the collaboration between designer and maker. This alliance multiplies what is possible by getting access to the skills that have been mastered by others. While craftsmanship has gained popularity, genuine artisans - individuals with an in-depth knowledge of their materials who can deliver exceptionally high quality - remain scarce. What captivates me most is their ability to create functional objects born out of necessity, where aesthetics emerge almost as a serendipitous by-product. This concept of "beauty by accident" is something I deeply admire.
As a conceptual designer, I bring no hands-on skills to the workshop. I enter as a novice and leave with both an experience and a physical object, conceived in my mind but shaped by another’s hands. I consider every artisan I work with a mentor. This fascination with making traces back to childhood, watching my father build and repair things in his garden shed. Today, I realise I am still fascinated by “people making things”.
I describe my work as “objects in search of meaning”. While functionality remains a crucial aspect, it does not overshadow the quest for deeper significance. I believe objects can serve as vessels for narrative, emotion and symbolism. By embedding layers of meaning, I invite viewers to engage beyond utility, offering multiple dimensions of interpretation. Function and meaning are not in opposition, they enrich each other."
