Arte Calaveras y Flores
October 29 - November 23, 2010
Reception: Friday, October 29, 6-8 pm
"Julieta" by Nathan Sanchez
La Peña presents “Arte Calaveras y Flores” a Dia de los Muertos Celebration October 29th – November 23rd at its gallery in Downtown Austin. The opening reception will be Friday, October 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
Dia de los Muertos is an annual holiday based on ancient traditions from the Aztec, Mayan and Zapotec cultures and focuses on gatherings of families and friends to honor, pray for, and remember loved ones who have crossed over to the “other side”. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd alongside the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Traditions center on building elaborate shrines honoring the deceased that often contain personal photos, sugar skulls and skeleton figurines, colorful banners known as "papel picado," candles, incense, and the departed’s favorite foods and drinks. One of the most important components of the shrines is the marigold, or "zempasuchil", which is the traditional flower used for Day of the Dead. Many believe that their strong scent and bright yellow color invites the spirits of the deceased to the shrines. The celebration is an opportunity for the living to demonstrate to the dead that they are lovingly remembered and to share one more day with them to commemorate times gone by. It also serves as a potent reminder to those still living about the impermanence of life.
Arte Calaveras y Flores features artwork by:
Raul Aguayo
Juan Carlos Amorrortu
Margarita Barraza
Veronica Castro de Barrera
Anica Bazan
James Beard
Joshua Boccardi
Carlos Brondo
Alicia Lopez-Burciaga
David Elliott
Patrick Flores
Ana Fuentes
Marco Garcia
Ambray Gonzales
Tonia M. Gonzalez
Luis Guerra
Luis Gutierrez
Diana Marie Kawamura
Diana Lozano
Yvette Mendez
Adelaida Ocampo
Adriana Perez
Michael Perez
Reyna Pliego
Lalo Priego
Venessa Velinda Ramos
Jonathan Rebolloso
Jose A. Roche
Ana Salinas
Rosalinda Salinas
Nathan Sanchez
Christina Sepulveda
Deborah Vasquez
Nicolas Wage
China Zavala