Monday, October 16, 2006

Dia De Muertos


City of chicago is apparently a moody creature. They assigned us a permit, took our money and then cancelled our permit. No outdoor festival. Look how sad our art looks waiting to be shown but stuck in our hallway.

No worries! We had an awesome weekend anyways with one of the hightlights being a visit to the Mexican Cultural Centre in Pilsen for their annual Day of The Dead exhibit. Below are some of the candy skulls we bought. The art was incredible. Thats a Dia De Muertos mousepad.

12 comments:

mister anchovy said...

too bad about the show, eh.....but good thing you made it down to Pilsen. I wish we were at the Cultural Centre with you and Stagg!

Anonymous said...

my favourite Chicago memories connect back to the Mexican Cultural Cenre- should be a UNESCO world heritage spot!

Anonymous said...

that's pretty cool!!!

Gardenia said...

Best hallway I've ever seen! Seriously, that is sad, and especially after that long haul of your large piece! I love Mexican art - esp. Kahlo and also the dioramas!

* (asterisk) said...

Oh, girl, that is so bogus about the show being cancelled. That's fucked up. You are so cool about it, though. I'm mad as hell without having done all the work for it that you guys did!

BTW: I promise some DVDs are coming this week.

Red said...

Bummer about the weekend exhibition, especially since you guys put so much into it...

The Dia de los Muertos is a wonderful celebration, and one that I hope to catch in the flesh (so to speak) one day. Don't they also bring food to the graves (or picnic by the graves), because it's like a day when the dead return to earth? It's so hopeful and loving.

S.M. Elliott said...

A Dia de los Muertos mousepad! Coolness. Even better than "The Scream", which is mine.

Shep said...

I wanna Dia De Muertos mousepad! I want it! I want it!

Candy Minx said...

Yeah, Stagg took the news hard about the cancelation, and it was so ridiculous last minute...but what can you do. this does seem somewhat typical of paperwork in Chicago.

It was a gorgeous weekend weather wise and we went out for dinner and adventures Yes, the mousepad rocks.

Red, yes, food is put on graves. Also, at this exhibition what was featured were ofrendos...which are alters built of a loved ones favourite possesions or objects associated with them. I took a couple of photos before I was asked not to...previously we were allowed to take photos. But I don't want to post them here, who wants to mess with the karma of an alter or ofrendos you know. But maybe I can email you one of the photos, as long as it's private.

It was very powerful to see these ofrendos, made with care, and lovely eulegies and hand picked momentos. Hits you about how we define our life, the passion we put into our lives and the things and objects when compiled really have a sense of monumental prescense of the person. Very moving and rather confronting. We will all be skullybones one day.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rjsalvad/scmfaq/muertos.html

Our friends we went with explained one sculpture and tradition I had seen many times, but didn't realize she had a name La Katrina, she is a Victorian dressed woman with a huge hat...and is a skeleton, reminding us, even with all her fashion and style she too passes. Our vanity does not keep us from Lady Death.

Timmer said...

Sorry to hear about the cancellation, I was excited for you and Stagg. Well next time! Cool photos!

Anonymous said...

oh that sucks. sorry to hear that candy. but at least you got some candy skulls!

thehealingroom said...

Ahhh, Death. Such a good teacher.
I guess it helped you and Stagg gain perspective after the "death" of your art sale.
I am glad you were able to turn that frown unside-down!
I keep a small altar for my Dad, who passed away 2 years ago. On special occasions I place food there. I actually got this idea from my sister-in-law, Maureen, who is native to northern BC, and her folks do a similiar ritual with food and relatives who have passed. (such a long way from Mexico)

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