{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1727526"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1727526/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1727526","accessionNumber":"W.18-2024","objectType":"Totomoxtle panel","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Totomoxtle is a new veneer material for use in interiors and furniture, created using the husks of heritage Mexican corn. It was developed by the Mexican designer Fernando Laposse, in collaboration with an indigenous Mixtec farming community in Tonahuixtla, Mexico. \r\n\r\nThe material is produced in the form of tiles, where the different hues and shapes of husks form an  intricate pattern. To achieve this, corn husks are peeled from the cob, ironed flat and glued onto a cork backing. This is then laser cut into interlocking pieces to be assembled as a form of marquetry. \r\n\r\nThere are currently three different designs for the tiles, the example seen here being the original 'Polygonal' shape. The V&A also has tiles of the latest ‘Camouflage’ design (museum no. W.16:1 to 6-2024). \r\n\r\nThe number of native varieties of Mexican corn are currently in sharp decline. Factors such as international trade agreements, increased use of herbicides and pesticides, and an influx of genetically modified corn seeds have reduced the profitability of growing native corn in Mexico. Most corn harvested worldwide is now used to feed cattle or to be processed into secondary products ranging from sweeteners to bioplastics. The nutritional value of these crops is therefore not a priority, nor is a diverse farming practice.  \r\n\r\nIn response to this, Laposse embarked on a research project together with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, the world's largest corn seed bank, to find seeds for six species of critically endangered native corn. Together with indigenous farmers in Tonahuixtla, Laposse then sowed the corn from seed to see how heritage varieties could be grown and harvested, not just as a food crop, but as a material for use in furniture and interior design. Totomoxtle projects so far have included tables, vessels, screens and seats.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Laposse, Fernando","id":"AUTH350096"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":"Originally from Mexico City, Laposse trained at Central Saint Martins and holds a Bachelor in Product Design from there. He has a studio in London and works between London, Mexico City and Tonahuixtla."}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Agriculture","id":"THES250518"},{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"},{"text":"Make Good","id":"THES390600"},{"text":"Tiles","id":"THES48884"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"WS002","id":"THES413474"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Totomoxtle corn husk panel, polygonal pattern","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Puebla","id":"x41090"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Tonahuixtla is a small village of indigenous Mixtec farmers and herders in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The arrival of industrial monoculture agriculture to the area and the lack of employment opportunities have seen the village go through a steep economic decline. This has resulted in mass exodus, the erosion of the land and the loss of native seeds. Totomoxtle aims to address some of these wider societal issues by creating a local industry based on the growing of heritage corn."}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2021","earliest":"2021-01-01","latest":"2021-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased through Make Good: Rethinking Material Futures, supported by John Makepeace OBE ","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Panel of 12 Totomoxtle corn husk tiles in polygonal pattern","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"small batch","id":"THES252237"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["W.18-2024"],"accessionNumberNum":"18","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":2024,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-26","recordCreationDate":"2022-08-17","availableToBook":false}}