The Intimate Design of Guatemala
Published on 29 July 2025
The exhibition “Guatemala, Designs by Hand” offers a rare opportunity to discover a wide range of brands, designers, and contemporary artisans who remain deeply rooted in their culture.
Just as French artisans rely on centuries of craftsmanship, Guatemalans draw on the rich heritage of the Maya civilization, whose golden age dates back to the 5th century. During Paris Design Week, at 84 rue de Turenne, the exhibition “Guatemala, Designs by Hand” explores this legacy through the diverse practices of some of the country’s most prominent contemporary designers and artisans. The tone is set from the entrance: the great Temple I of Tikal is recreated at 15% scale, interpreted in wood and woven textiles. Organized at the initiative of the Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo (INGUAT), the exhibition is a journey through the country’s most beautiful sites and the craftsmanship they inspire: jade jewelry from Antigua Guatemala, textile work from Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlán, and designer furniture from the city of Quetzaltenango.
But Guatemala is not defined solely by its historical and natural treasures: it has embraced contemporary design and local craftsmanship as forms of expression that connect its past with its present and future. Designers are turning to organic and repurposed materials, offering poetic interpretations of nature: recycled glass vessels take on the hues of exotic bird feathers, and dresses are beaded with natural seeds.
Finally, visitors will discover unexpected raw materials: pumice stone, clay, corn fiber thread…