The Source of Inspiration
At this point one might ask: what is the inspiration for Fernando Laposse’s designs? Is it the material he uses, or the humans with whom he works? As described above, it seems
for him the answer is both. It is a reflexive relationship of humans and nature, informed and framed by context.
As told by Fernando, the next material to intrigue him was also one that had also been integral to the agricultural health and diversity of the community: agave. Once thriving and naturally occurring, agave was first valuable for its strong fiber. Its long fleshy arm’s length leaves were stripped down to the fiber and the fiber used to make rope or twine. Later, the heart of the agave – or the piña once fermented – became an important ingredient for tequila. With this discovery, the plant once integral to the agricultural system of the valley, not to mention to the preservation of the soil, and one which serves as a nursery plant for other important colonizing plants, became a valuable commodity. Agriculture became agribusiness.
With his sights set on agave both as a source
for fiber with which he could design and as a plant that might possibly stabilize the ravaged
soil, Fernando turned again to his friends and
farmers in the Tonahuixtla community.
Together, they developed a plan to reintroduce agave into the area. They believed replanting the agave on terraced hillside would help retain moisture, restore the soil, and over time encourage the return of other indigenous plants and pollinators.
As with all projects involving nature, it took time and a major effort by the community. Since 2015, they have planted 45,000 agave plants and restored 120 hectares of land. As anticipated, the agave has since secured the soil in place and became a nursery for other vital plant and animal species to thrive.
To learn more about Fernando’s work with agave, click on the video link below and scroll down page to watch video:
https://www.fernandolaposse.com/sisal
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