tezontle

ART interview by OLIVIER ZAHM and ALEPH MOLINARI photography by OLIVIER ZAHM all artwork copyright Tezontle, courtesy of Peana Gallery tezontle’s lucas cantú and carlos h. matos view architecture as the essence of mexican art. primarily using volcanic stone, the artist duo designs totemic structures and monumental sculptures. recent projects include a sculpture-sauna in the oaxacan jungle and a bathhouse in upstate new york. OLIVIER ZAHM — What’s the story behind the name of your studio, Tezontle? CARLOS H. MATOS — Tezontle is the name of this reddish volcanic rock that you see all over Mexico City, from the archaeological sites to the buildings that we have right here in front of us. It’s a porous volcanic stone, and it’s the most brittle part of the lava strata. If you go further down, you get recinto, which is a darker stone, and the foamier, brittle parts are in these reddish,…