| The 23nd Annual Day of the Dead Altars and Ephemera Exhibition is on view at The Folk Tree from October 7 - November 4, 2006. The show features traditional and other altars as well as work by local artists and Mexican folk art commemorating this major holiday. The public is invited to a reception on Saturday, October 7, from 2 - 6 P.M. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which falls on November 1 and 2, is a Mexican holiday honoring the dead. Ritualized worship of the dead has been practiced in Mexico since at least 1800 B.C. The modern holiday is a combination of pre-Hispanic and Catholic influences. Day of the Dead participants create elaborate feasts and altars paying homage to the dead, and they indulge in festive celebrations of life and its aftermath. A time of reflection as well, the holiday has inspired a rich folk art tradition. In honor of these dates, The Folk Tree annually invites Los Angeles artists to assemble altars for people or events of significance to them. Highly personal, these altars often include photographs and other mementos, letters, candles and offerings of food. In addition to lost loved ones, in the past artists have created altars for victims of tragedies and violence, for well-known figures who have died, and for deceased pets. Several artists have participated regularly over the years. Rafael Garcia creates a fairly traditional installation for members of his family. Carolyn Potter, who also pays homage to family, has been a participant since the exhibit's inception and incorporates her gourd and polymer clay art into her altar. Johanna Hansen uses her painted narrative ceramics in altars commemorating her son and mother. Nancy Ann Jones' altar is interactive - visitors are invited to write their own messages and tributes in the sand. Matt DeHaven, Linda Jaques, Monica Gomez, as well as a few others, also contribute altars. Related artwork and objects are on view, including Day of the Dead themed tablecloths and oversized totes and backpacks by Lucia Vigil Frances, and painted shot and margarita glasses by Frenzy Art. Mexican folk art objects created for the Day of the Dead are sold in the streets throughout Mexico in the weeks preceding the holiday. Many examples of these items are available at The Folk Tree. They are often made of clay, papier maché, tin and sugar. Those forms most commonly found are skeletons and skulls, often decorated to include a person's name, or placed in little vignettes. Mexico's artists express their creativity in various media in wonderfully humorous ways. The Folk Tree's favorite papier maché artist from Mexico City, Joel García, will have several pieces on exhibit. The Folk Tree is located at 217 South Fair Oaks Avenue, minutes walking distance from the Gold Line's Del Mar station, and just south of Old Pasadena. Hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For more information, contact Gail Mishkin at 626/793-4828. |
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