In the dry, rocky hills of Tonahuixtla, Mexico, where agriculture once thrived, the soil had been reduced to dust. Decades of industrial farming had eroded the land, depleting both the environment and the local community’s resources. Amid this landscape, Fernando Laposse saw an opportunity—not just to aid in land restoration, but to reconnect with a lost tradition. The key was the agave plant, a resilient species whose deep roots help stabilize the soil. Beyond its ecological benefits, the plant also contained an overlooked resource: sisal fiber, a strong yet flexible material that had historically been used for ropes, nets, and everyday objects. Collaborating with local artisans, Laposse developed a technique that preserved sisal in its raw, unspun form, allowing it to be transformed into sculptural and functional pieces, including furniture.

Building on this approach, participants at Boisbuchet will engage in an experimental process, working with regional plant fibers such as hemp, flax, or nettle. They will explore the full cycle of fiber transformation—from processing raw materials to experimenting with techniques like weaving, twisting, and knotting—while working toward functional applications. The focus will be on understanding how fibers behave—how they stretch, contract, stiffen, or soften—allowing the material to guide the creative process. Participants will discover how traditional weaving techniques can be reinterpreted for contemporary design, how different fibers can be combined to enhance strength and texture, and how simple knots or interwoven elements can create structure without the need for adhesives or fasteners.