| The 22nd Annual Day of the Dead Altars and
Ephemera Exhibition is on view at The Folk Tree from October 8 - November
5, 2005. The show features traditional altars and other work by local
artists, as well as Mexican folk art commemorating this major holiday.
The public is invited to a reception on Saturday, October 8, 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 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. Johanna Hansen incorporates her painted narrative ceramics into an altar commemorating her son and mother. Carolyn Potter, who has been a participant since the exhibition's inception, places her gourd and polymer clay art in an altar for her father. Nancy Ann Jones creates an interactive altar, where exhibition visitors can write their own messages and tributes in the sand. Domingo Rodriguez, participating for his first year, constructs a "generic" altar, instructive in its very traditional design. Day of the Dead related artwork and objects are also on view by several artists. Included are mixed media pieces by Ellen Grim, Day of the Dead theme 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 observance are on view as well. Whimsical pieces are produced to be sold in the streets throughout Mexico in the weeks preceding the Day of the Dead. These items 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 comical contexts. The Day of the Dead is a particularly interesting time for folk art collectors. Mexico's artists focus on objects of many materials and express their creativity 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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