Beneath the vibrant, color-soaked surfaces of Marisol Centeno’s contemporary textiles lie profound questions about design’s role in contemporary society and its potential as a tool for change.

Centeno, a textile designer based in Mexico City, has long been driven by an interest in uncovering the stories, processes, and rituals embedded within everyday textiles. Her commitment to leaving a positive imprint on society led her to spend a year with the artisan Zapotec community in Oaxaca, Mexico ultimately launching Bi Yuu (Air and Earth) in 2012. The social design atelier produces handmade rugs and home textiles distinguished by sunbursts of colour and joyful motifs.

Bi Yuu’s creations are a testament to collective learning. Innovation in processes, the quality of materials, respect for manual labor, and a design-centric approach are core elements that define the Bi Yuu textiles process. More than rugs, each piece narrates a story woven with intention.Today, Bi Yuu is both a space for textile experimentation but also a space for social and sustainability experimentation.

Themes like fair trade, trust, the role of craftsmanship in design, creative processes, economic issues, diversity, and multiculturalism are all woven into the atelier’s daily discourse. The customs, concerns, and experiences of every community member shape these ongoing conversations.With over a decade of experience, Bi Yuu continues to evolve, exploring the role of design in daily rituals and how the narratives behind each piece influence the final creation.

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