The second collaboration took place in Mesillas, Sinaloa, an area known for it’s fine wood work. But this area is also known for drug dealing and drug-related violence. We had to be careful when knocking doors around town because of the rumors. One week after we went there for the first time, we meet someone who talked about a talented woodcarver known as “El Chacuco”.
In this collaboration things worked in a different way. When we first talked to Chacuco, he insisted we showed him a blueprint of what we wanted to make to start working from there, which is the way most artisans are used to work with designers. He questioned our process, but was open to the idea of creating something different. We liked his enthusiasm and adapted to the way he wanted to collaborate.
In this collaboration things worked in a different way. When we first talked to Chacuco, he insisted we showed him a blueprint of what we wanted to make to start working from there, which is the way most artisans are used to work with designers. He questioned our process, but was open to the idea of creating something different. We liked his enthusiasm and adapted to the way he wanted to collaborate.
The idea was to make an ambient lighting composition that plays with balance between the interaction of the material and elements in a contemporary way. When we shared the idea with him, he was excited and remained that way throughout the process. With him, we created a fun but respectful bond, and admiration keeps growing from both sides.
Chacuco has been working with wood for almost 30 years. He’s sought after the big brands for his carving skills, but in all of these years of work he had never questioned the process. “After 30 years of working with wood, making furniture, carving it, I never thought a piece could have an idea or a concept behind it…”, he told us.
