La tarde de quetzalcoatl

Master of Fine Arts in Furniture Design Thesis Collection.

La Tarde de Quetzalcoatl is a story about an alternate reality Mexico told through a slice-of-life narrative, presented as a ritual—an expression inspired by Mesoamerican pictorial manuscripts, otherwise known as codices. This collection illustrates how daily life and by extension, furniture, might look today if Mexican culture had developed through an equitable collaboration between Mesoamerican and European influences, rather than through colonization. This body of work employs speculative design, the practice of imagining alternative realities within the realm of physical possibility, as an opportunity to envision a world where Mesoamerican influences are held in equal regard to Western design practices. Inspired by Afrofuturism, Mexofuturism explores a divergent history in which Mesoamerican and European cultures co-evolved, rather than the historically accurate version in which European culture dominated and suppressed Indigenous cultures during colonization. Although rooted in fiction, speculative design and Mexofuturism serve as powerful tools for decolonization in the real world.

“What might furniture look like today if, 500 years ago, European and Mesoamerican cultures were held in equal regard upon initial contact?”

to answer the question,

Visuals from the Codex Yaolli Ehēcatl and Codex Tonindeye—existing pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican pictorial manuscripts—as well as architectural and sculptural works were employed to inform the visuals of the project. These elements, combined with materials and postures that may have been more familiar to Indigenous communities, along with furniture types and processes potentially introduced by the Spanish, inform the collection.

El ritual

The Codex Yoalli Ehēcatl’s religious contents are undoubtedly fascinating; however, this work does not explore the significance of the text. Instead, it focuses primarily on the dense and formidable visual detail of the manuscript. In addition to serving as an aesthetic anchor for this collection, the codex’s depiction of a religious ritual inspired the idea of a pictographic representation of a daily ritual, which became the basis for the illustrations and narrative accompanying La Tarde de Quetzalcoatl.

La Comida y Siesta—a cultural practice that remains a pillar of Mexican life even 500 years after colonization—is depicted on tapestries to represent the slice-of-life moment the furniture inhabits. Rendered in a style derived from the Codex Yoalli Ehēcatl and printed on linen, the illustrations visually express this everyday ritual and the intimate moments shaped by the furniture.

La Comida

There is little evidence of furniture specifically made for dining in Mesoamerican culture, apart from the versatile petate or petlatl in Nahuatl—a woven palm mat used as a bed, table, lounger, and even for burials. Today, Western dining posture and etiquette are the standard in the dominant Mexican culture.

In La Tarde de Quetzalcoatl, Mesoamericans were curious about and open to the concept of dining furniture introduced by the Spanish. This led to dining furniture that reflected a posture more aligned with Mesoamerican traditions. Designed to foster the originally Spanish tradition of sobremesa, the act of lingering at the table for conversation, the low dining experience emphasizes comfort for both the meal and post-meal relaxation.

The symmetrical table dismantles the hierarchy inherent in Eurocentric cultures, decolonizing the act of dining and recentering the focus on community rather than individuals. At this table, equal on all sides, no one is deemed more important than another, reflecting a culture where the value is in the collective.

La SIESTA

The Achiote Daybed embodies the daily afternoon tradition colloquially known as la siesta or "the nap." Historically, many cultures, particularly in hotter climates, recognized the importance of a midday break, not only as a moment of regeneration but also as a way to avoid exertion during the hottest part of the day. La siesta prioritizes rest, the daily enjoyable moments, and grounding rituals over the relentless adherence to capitalistic values.

The tradition of la siesta was introduced by the Spanish during colonization and adopted into the dominant Mexican culture, although it was likely already an element of the culture due to the hot climate. However, in the 21st century, this facet of the day faces the threat of extinction, overshadowed by the growing influence of Western glorification of capitalism and the dominance of hyper-productivity.

In La Tarde de Quetzalcoatl, this element of Spanish culture was embraced by the Mesoamericans, aligning naturally with their own practical traditions for living in a hot climate. Within the cultures of Mexico, unburdened by the demands of Western society, la siesta remains a fixed and vital pillar of daily life, preserving a balance between work and rest.

M A G U E Y + C O A T L

The chair, named for the sisal, the fiber of the Maguey that makes the woven back, draws direct inspiration from the stepped thrones in the Codex Yoalli Ehēcatl. Transforming two-dimensional pictograms into three-dimensional forms required the incorporation of architectural and sculptural elements. The inverted pyramid legs reflect the iconic Mesoamerican stone pyramids made to worship their deities. Carved into the base, the gouging pattern provides an organic, tactile quality, contributing to the saturated textural experience of this collection. The design prioritizes a relaxed posture ideal for sobremesa.

Coatl, meaning serpant, is believed to be the word cuate or twin was derived from. The Coatl bench seats two people at the table. It offers the same comfort as the Maguey chair but without a backrest, allowing for easier access and movement without disturbing your seating partner.

Y O E M I A

The Yaqui word Yoemia has several meanings, citizen, humanity, son or daughter of man, the Yaqui people, and family — the multiple definitions of the word reflect how one of Mexico’s Indigenous cultures perceives the multifaceted roles of community members within their world. This community-focused perspective is highlighted through the table’s design.

Large in size and equal on all sides, the table dismantles the hierarchy often imposed by Western dining culture, embracing the expansive collective instead. With no clear place for anyone to assert dominance, it decolonizes the dining experience by fostering equality.

The table provides ample space for dishes and features a revolving tray to facilitate shared access, ensuring that everyone is served with ease. The Yoemia table becomes the central element around which the family gathers, embodying values of unity and a shared experience.

A C H I O T E + E H E C A T L

Named after the seed used to dye the upholstery fabric, the Achiote daybed is designed for lounging or enjoying a short, comfortable midafternoon nap. It rests on four legs, giving the appearance of sitting atop a fierce jaguar. The carvings, fabric, tezontle medallions, and ties contribute to the piece’s rich textural landscape. The goal was to create a dense yet balanced composition of textures and visual elements that mirrors the richness of the codices.

Ehēcatl, meaning “wind” in Nahuatl, symbolizes a gentle breeze that would enhance the bliss of a mid-day nap. The design abstractly translates imagery from the codices into a minimal composition that frames the Achiote daybed in plush wool.