Client: Cartier Project: Flagship store decorative objects. Year: 2023
Mayahuel is a collection of decorative objects designed for Cartier’s boutiques in Mexico City.
The series finds its inspiration in Mesoamerica’s portrayals of the female body, filtered through a contemporary lens that honors female strength and softness. Ancient civilizations across Mexico sought ways to immortalize women and the qualities they valued most in them, such as fertility, beauty, bravery, and liveliness. Through the sculptures, we aim to extend Cartier’s connection with women by recreating the tale of three female archetypes: the mother, the dancer, and the priestess, portraying its everlasting ideals.
We experimented with a traditional wood-carved lathe technique with local artisans to recreate the silhouette of these ancient sculptures with a contemporary aesthetic that dialogues with the recent Cartier atmosphere. Since color is a crucial aspect of Cartier’s interior design, we explored a unique handmade dye process to create a watercolor texture on the wood.
These objects result from a poetic mixture of techniques, combining traditionally lathed wood achieved with regional artisans, typically reserved for small-scale objects. Additionally, we incorporated our textile knowledge by using pigments usually kept for cellulose fibers and a variation of the Japanese brush-dyeing techniques. This allows the color to travel through the wood grain in unique forms that complement the artisanal product and its natural qualities, creating one-of-a-kind pieces.
