Mexican poet Octavio Paz once wrote, «Our cult of death is also our cult of life.» Those words capture the spirit with which Mexicans celebrate Día de Muertos. On November 1 and 2, families in Mexico honor those who have departed, setting up colorful altars at home and in public places with the images of loved ones. These ancestors are greeted with their favorite foods, drinks, sugar skulls, colored paper, marigold flowers, candles and incense. It’s a true celebration of culture and family — and has even been declared
Without Hope (1945) by Frida Kahlo at Museo Dolores Olmedo
Colossal Skulls from James Bond movie (2015) by Colectivo Última Hora at Museo de Arte Popular
Catrina (2015) by D*Face at All City Canvas
Cráneo by Vicente Barroco Reyes at Museo de Arte Popular
La Catrina (1910/1913) by José Guadalupe Posada at the Smithsonian Latino Center
Besitos a mamá (2011) by Felipe Mendiola Velázques at Museo Mexicano del Diseño
Start the exhibition online at g.co/diademuertos or download the Google Arts & Culture app for iOS or Android to dive into the ancient roots of the Day of the Dead through codices and sculptures. You can explore the different representations of death in folk art pieces from all over the country; savor the paintings of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and learn about Jose Guadalupe Posada, Mexico’s most famous illustrator and father of the iconic Catrina.
If you’re new to this tradition, get to know the elements that make up an Offering; enjoy the calaveras crafted by the legendary family Linares, visit the colossal skulls made by Mexican artisans for the 2015 James Bond movie, Spectre and even take a stroll through the San Andrés Mixquic’s cemetery during Día de Muertos.
Whichever route you choose, we invite you to explore death as a celebration of life.
Posted by Lucy Schwartz, Program Manager, Google Cultural Institute https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZzAiPVEzbU/WBOjhvzldoI/AAAAAAAATM4/kr9bDwJyYLcVsy1yMtLhuZhR3_gwtTaIwCLcB/s1600/LiveDayoftheDead_Hero.jpg Lucy Schwartz Program Manager Google Cultural Institute <!– INSTRUCTIONS Enter info below to be used in google.com/about site blog syndication. Leave elements empty if there is no valid data. Example: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZzAiPVEzbU/WBOjhvzldoI/AAAAAAAATM4/kr9bDwJyYLcVsy1yMtLhuZhR3_gwtTaIwCLcB/s1600/LiveDayoftheDead_Hero.jpg Lucy Schwartz Program Manager Google Cultural Institute –>
