Día de los Muertos

As I was working on this year’s Day of the Dead themed mail art, I realized it is 40 years since I discovered this now favorite holiday. The discovery came as a student living in Switzerland at the Museum Rietberg in Zürich. It was my first introduction to the folk art that is part of the celebration. As the years have gone by, the holiday has become increasingly meaningful to me — when I am in San Francisco, I always have an ofrenda in my home. It is a holiday I love on a visual and spiritual level.  Some years I travel for the holiday and always seek out the local celebration — including a few times in Mexico.   

Día de los Muertos

One of my favorite holidays and one of my favorite pieces from the 2011 Project.  I think I got a little carried away this year.  My entire apartment smells like marigolds.

November 13, 2011 – Marigolds

I planned to do a marigold piece for the 2011 Project during the week of the Day of the Dead. Marigolds being the flower most associated with the holiday. I always have them for my altar and am sure to sprinkle some petals on the doorstep of my building. It’s a custom to let your friends and loved ones who have passed on know they are welcome to visit.

There actually was a marigold piece made during that week, but unfortunately it failed. With over 300 pieces for the project, I have had a few that didn’t work and you’ll never see them. Let’s just say, when you try to encase marigold petals in acrylic varnish they quickly discolor and look awful. This week I started playing with modeling clay — just fooling around. I knew this piece needed some color, and when I saw the can or orange spray paint on the hardware store shelf – a marigold happened.

November 2, 2011 – Día de los Muertos

Today is one of my favorite holidays, the day to remember all those who have moved on and still watch over us. We can and should remember them every day, but today is their special day to acknowledge the dead and thank them for looking out for us on our journeys through our current incarnations.