El Charco | The Puddle

Have a Seat Exhibition Guide

El charco by Mestiz (founded by Daniel Valero) is a mystical space where the apparently ordinary becomes untamed. Mestiz transforms raw materials using artisanal craft techniques into functional and magical works that represent the natural environments of the materials. A tribute to humid, semi-desert environments, the benches in El charco take the shape of serpents that seem to come alive and move, while the sculptures and lamps bloom into the shapes of flora found in the landscape around Daniel Valero’s home.

Photo of El charco, an immersive artwork spanning a single gallery inside Have a Seat. Bright orange walls and a magenta floor, with six benches made of woven, natural straw-like material. They are in the shape of serpent heads and have two pink eyes.

Mestiz
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, established 2015
Daniel Valero
Mexican, born 1988 in Saltillo, Mexico; lives and works in San Miguel de Allende
El charco (The Puddle)
2023

Great Two-Headed Viper
Two-Headed Viper
Wild Yuca
Viper Head

Wicker and tule with steel
Courtesy of Mestiz
Produced by AGO Projects, Mexico City.
Artisan: Teo Vidal, Atotonilco, Mexico

Detail photo of El charco, an immersive artwork spanning a single gallery inside Have a Seat. A bright orange wall with a pink vinyl label on the left, and red flower with eight petals on the right. Four benches shaped like serpent heads with pink eyes, and a magenta carpeted floor.

Mestiz
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, established 2015
Daniel Valero
Mexican, born 1988 in Saltillo, Mexico; lives and works in San Miguel de Allende
El charco (The Puddle)
2023

Cactus of a Thousand Eyes

Wicker
Courtesy of Mestiz
Produced by AGO Projects, Mexico City.
Artisan: Martin Cruz, Tequisquiapan, Mexico

Detail photo of serpent-shaped bench in El charco taken from a side angle so only one pink eye is visible. The bench extends behind the head in a semi-circle. A four-pronged purple and red cactus stands tall in the background.

Mestiz
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, established 2015
Daniel Valero
Mexican, born 1988 in Saltillo, Mexico; lives and works in San Miguel de Allende
El charco (The Puddle)
2023

Pink Cloud
Agave Sun

Wicker
Courtesy of Mestiz
Produced by AGO Projects, Mexico City.
Artisan: Salvador Mejía, Tequisquiapan, Mexico

Photo of Daniel Valero

Daniel Valero. Photo by Pepe Molina

Have a Seat: Mexican Chair Design Today is organized by the Denver Art Museum. Support is provided by the Estate of Marjorie MacLachlan, Rudy Weissenberg and Rodman Primack, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.