Description: |
Who is this stylish lady? According to Mexican sculptor, Pablo Morales, she is Catrina--based on artist Jose Guadalupe Posada's character, la calavera Catrina. Catrina represented high society women and later parodied lower class women who dressed in their mistress' cast off clothing and accessories. Pablo Morales, who is a member of the famed Linares family of Mexico City, makes this Catrina bright and glittery, complete with flowers in her hat and hair and a feather boa that doubles as a snake-like creature. As one can see, there is definately a sense of humor in the artwork made for Dia de los Muertos. Skeleton decorations like this one can be seen in Mexico and in parts of the United States during the Mexican celebration, Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead). Celebrated from October 31 - November 2, the holiday is a special time when it is believed that spirits of deceased loved ones return to visit with family and friends. Privately, families gather to remember and to celebrate the presence of missed loved ones. Beautiful and elaborate altars (called ofrendas) dedicated to loved ones who have died, are filled with their favorite flowers, objects and food to make them feel welcome. Family and friends gather in cemeteries to clean, decorate and visit family graves. Some hold all night vigils, filled with music and meaningful conversation. Publicly, people celebrate by taking part in parades and masquerades, selling and purchasing traditional foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and decorated sugar skulls, and decorating with colorful and fun Day of the Dead art. For the holiday, artists create skeletons to make people laugh and to poke fun at death. Skeletons from all walks of life are represented to relay the message that no matter who you are in life-rich or poor, famous or unknown-you will end up a skeleton in the end. Skeleton decorations and sculptures can be seen in homes, markets and all around town during the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead. |
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Source: |
http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/922 |
Collection: |
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis |
Rights: | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/; |
Copyright: |
Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0); |
Subjects: |
Holidays -- Mexico Mexico -- Social life and customs All Souls' Day Sculpture Skeletons |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.