Mexico’s rich history has influenced the country’s art. It is impressive how Mexican artists have harnessed methods to incorporate their culture into their artistic expressions. Their artworks—paintings, sculptures, plays, and designs, to mention a few—contain elements of the Mesoamerican practices and three centuries of Spanish colonial rule influences.
In the field of industrial design, Mexican industrial designers have found ways to merge utility with aesthetics and culture to create pieces of art that are both beautiful and functional. In their designs, we can see the reflection of their community and their values. These designs tell one of how Mexico is as a country—rich, colorful and vibrant. Here’s how Mexican industrial designers have integrated art, utility, and culture through their pieces.
Sierra Brava Tableware by Jorge Diego Etienne
Palermo by Sofia von Hauske
“Molinillo 013” Coffee Table by Colección Estudio
Colima Low Chair by Comité de Proyectos
Augusto Credenza by Jorge Arturo Ibarra
Sierra Brava Tableware by Jorge Diego Etienne
A brand called Sierra Brava celebrates Northern Mexico’s wit and culture. In that part of the country, they usually have a barbecue or a “carne asada” where people share values and build stories through food. Jorge Diego Etienne created the tableware collection especially for Sierra Brava. In this collection, the designers integrated the 13 elements that are involved in the most important moments of a typical “carne asada.”
This collection improves the food’s presentation and fosters pleasant conversation among people, enjoying an afternoon of culinary delights. Through culinary utensils and tools, Sierra Brava Tableware brings the authenticity and identity of the northern culture to life and creates a real feeling of belonging. On each piece, the designers have utilized woodworking techniques on mesquite. It is a wood that is the symbol of northern Mexico.
Palermo by Sofia von Hauske
Rattan furniture is popular in Mexico. With its diverse destinations such as Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, rattan furniture keeps the atmosphere refreshing. When you sit on a rattan chair, you get transported to a summer state of mind. Rattan has just that light and cool vibe.
Palermo is a concept dining chair born out of material exploration. It is the brainchild of Sofia von Hauske, a Mexican designer based in New York. The chair is an ode to the beauty of rattan. Palermo is made from rattan vines which are woven together. It looks very chic yet welcoming. Rattan material can be seen on furniture all over Mexico. It is especially used in vacation beaches like Cancun and Los Cabos. Plus, a lot of Mexican designers like Rattan Guadalajara and Balsa specifically make rattan furniture.
New York Art Life also had the opportunity to interview Palermo’s designer. Check out NY Art Life’s interview with Sofia von Hauske here.
“Molinillo 013” Coffee Table by Colección Estudio
A table that is a mix of contemporary art and traditional Mexican craft. This is the “Molinillo 013” Coffee Table. It pays homage to the classic Mexican kitchen tool, the “molinillo.” The name itself means to move or wiggle. It is a nearly foot-long wooden whisk that has been used for generations in Central America to prepare frothy hot cocoa—the perfect drink. The molinillo is an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Each leg of the “Molinillo 013” coffee table got its deep, dark hue through wood carbonization. The whole table is handmade. The designers also ebonized the covers with iron acetate, an ancient technique. Additionally, the designers used a baked linseed oil finish on the table.
Colima Low Chair by Comité de Proyectos
The Colima Low Chair was inspired by the outdoor spaces of houses seen in Mexico’s lush and unique jungles on its southern coastline. The dense foliage in the area inspired the boldness of the solid Huanacaxtle wood construction.
Huanacaxtle is one of the biggest and most impressive trees in the area. The tree is native to tropical regions of the Americas. Its timber is reddish-brown, lightweight and water-resistant. A kind of wood commonly used to manufacture windows, furniture, cabinets, and shipbuilding. The Colima Low Chair was developed as a complementing chair for a bar as part of the Meroma Restaurante interior design project.
Augusto Credenza by Jorge Arturo Ibarra
Universidad Autonoma Chapingo is home to Mexico's National Museum of Agriculture. It is a top university in the country that is the inspiration for Augusto Credenza. Specifically, the school’s modernist façade in 1967 inspired the doors, handles, and textures of this piece.
The artwork is a flexible complement to any interior because of its minimal details and material combination. Its frame can be either walnut, maple, or teak and finished with satin varnish, matte oil, or black oil. Augusto Credenza was designed by Jorge Arturo Ibarra at Luteca whose works frequently reflect Mexican brutalist architecture.
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