Charlie Chaplin Day of the Dead sculpture

Description:	Skeleton sculptures like this one can be seen in Mexico and in parts of the United States during the Mexican celebration, Días 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. Some of Mexicos most beautiful folk art represents Day of the Dead themes. This sculpture was created by a member of one of Mexicos most famous folk artisan families, the Linares family. The family consists of three generations: Pedro (grandfather), Miguel (son) and Ricardo (grandson). This sculpture illustrates a scene featuring actor Charlie Chaplin in the movie The Gold Rush (1925) and was created by Ricardo Linares. During El Días de los Muertos, families gather privately 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.
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/976
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

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