I can’t wait to see the Day of the Dead sequences in Spectre, the new James Bond movie. The costumes, make up and cinematography look spectacular.
Santo en Mictlan, el mundo de los muertos
A glimpse of the opening reception at the Day of the Dead exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, 2015.
Our 2015 Ofrenda
Ofrenda to Santo, National Museum of Mexican Art, 2015
After days of installing at the National Museum of Mexican Art, our ofrenda is finished and lit for the opening reception. Javier and I were treated so well by Dolores Mercado, the curator of the Day of the Dead exhibition, and the rest of the museum staff. Thank you to Cesario and to Salvador in particular for helping us hang the marquee in that corner spot. It was a tricky install, but they knew what they were doing.
La Nuerte Niña
El difunto Dimas, 1937, painting by Frida Kahlo
La muerte niña or child death is the theme this year for the Day of the Dead exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. La muerte niña has had a prominent place in Mexican history and visual arts. Celebrated as angelitos (little angels) deceased infants in Mexican tradition have enjoyed special and unique funeral rituals, including the pictorial memorialization. From painters in colonial times to Frida Kahlo and many other 20th century visual artists la muerte niña has captured the imagination of generations. A symbol of innocence, resurrection and renewal, la muerte niña is also a testimony of the multiple meanings of funeral rituals in Mexico and the complexity of the Day of the Dead festivities.
La Muerte Niña: Day of the Dead
Javier and I working on our installation for the annual Day of the Dead exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art. We’re building a marquee and a wrestling ring. We’re super excited about this ofrenda. If you’re in Chicago, check out the show. They usually have a huge turnout at the opening reception.
http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/exhibits/la-muerte-niña-day-dead-
Ayotzinapa
Day of the Dead in Janitzio – A scene from “Maclovia” (1948)
Day of the the Dead Food and Drink
Click on the following link from NPR.ORG on “Decoding the Food and Drink on the Day of the Dead”.
Installing the Ofrenda to Santo
Here’s a time-lapse version of the install of our wrestling ring ofrenda to Santo. Come see it in person tonight along with lucha libre inspired art at Whitdel Arts in Detroit, 7-10 pm.
Santo is Coming to Town
Poster Artwork by Gualberto Orozco
Día de los Muertos – Arte y Lucha in Detroit
November 1 – December 13, 2014
Reception: Saturday, November 1st, 7-10pm
Whitdel Arts, 1250 Hubbard St, Detroit, MI 48209
Santo El Enmascarado de Plata (Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, 1917-1984), a professional wrestler-movie star known as El Santo, starred in several movies in the lucha libre genre between 1958 and 1984, becoming an iconic figure for generations in Mexico, Latin America and the United States. His performances mirrored the aspirations of the less-privileged classes in which they could see themselves as protagonists in a struggle to survive the contradictions and inequities in contemporary society. This Day of the Dead collective art exhibition explores Santo’s battles against vampires, monsters, zombies, aliens, mad scientists and witches, emphasizing the unique nature of the lucha libre film genre to stage and represent popular values and attitudes.
Please join us for an opening reception for the artists on Saturday, November 1st, 2014
Juan Javier Pescador and Gabrielle Pescador created the ofrenda to El Santo. Their ofrendas have been featured at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the National Museum of Mexican Art, Michigan State University Museum, the Swing Space Gallery and other venues.
Exhibiting artists:
Kia I. Arriaga
Jeffrey Bowman
Sylvia Hernandez
Quetzally Hernandez Coronado
John-Michael Korpal
Dan McCormack
Tim Péwé
Sam Sefton
Rachel Wallis
This event is free and open to the public. All ages welcome. Open gallery hours are Saturdays during exhibitions, noon-3pm, or by appointment. For more information, e-mail Gualberto Orozco at gualberto@whitdelarts.com. For a full schedule of exhibitions and events at Whitdel Arts, please visit http://www.whitdelarts.com.
Pescador Arte Ofrendas 