Articles of protection is part of Pieces of Home from Space 10. Created in the residency during their Pop-Up in Mexico City in 2022.

Mexico is considered the center of domestication of corn, as such continues to be one of the most representative plant species of the country, housing the greatest diversity of corn in the world with at least 59 native varieties. Corn continues to be the basic crop of self-consumption for rural and indigenous communities. Along with the production of tortillas, its main form of consumption, it is the basis of food for most of the urban and semi-urban population. At least 600 ways of preparing corn for food have been identified in the country. 

Articles of Protection

—Milpa Alta, Mexico City

Articles of Protection is a series of vessels that can be used to serve, protect and transport food — made with discarded corn husk. To design the vessels, Taina Campos worked with Mujeres de la Tierra, a community organisation supporting women who have experienced domestic violence. To become financially independent, the women make and sell tortillas, tamales, and atole, which are made from local corn. The women desired non-plastic vessels to carry their delicious foods, so Campos turned to waste from the corn harvest to make a material.

After harvest, the corn husk can be reused to wrap tamales, but is usually discarded. When combined with corn starch and water, it finds new life as packaging.