As a child, I went trickertreating on Halloween, and my daughter did the same, but you know what?...I think the holiday is a tad cheezy and sleazy (am I getting crotchety in my old age?). South of the border and coming up this Nov. 2 is a somewhat similar holiday that I believe is more relevant in our lives...Dia De Los Muertos...Day Of The Dead. It reminds us of our mortality so we can appreciate the moment and the lives of those around us. It honors those who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand. And. like the Gringo's Halloween, it too has sweets and fabulous decorations and costumes. Viva Dia De Los Muertos!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Bah, Humbug!
As a child, I went trickertreating on Halloween, and my daughter did the same, but you know what?...I think the holiday is a tad cheezy and sleazy (am I getting crotchety in my old age?). South of the border and coming up this Nov. 2 is a somewhat similar holiday that I believe is more relevant in our lives...Dia De Los Muertos...Day Of The Dead. It reminds us of our mortality so we can appreciate the moment and the lives of those around us. It honors those who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand. And. like the Gringo's Halloween, it too has sweets and fabulous decorations and costumes. Viva Dia De Los Muertos!
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4 comments:
Oh, this is an exciting image!!! So cool. I've heard of Dia de Los Muertos, but am not well acquainted with it. It does sound more purposeful than Halloween.
Silvina: I've read a few communications on your blog in Spanish. Are you hispanic or simply speak the language? By the way, a Mexican restaurant in Woodland, CA will be hanging this painting along with my student's Dia de Los Muertos paintings. We will be going there this Friday for lunch and to admire our work hanging on the walls. The place is called SILVINA'S BASKET!
You're so right, David. Halloween has lost its appeal for almost everyone. However, El Dia lives on and is a thoughtful way to remember that life is short. We, in Tucson, have a really big celebration. The All Soul's Procession is gearing up for another great evening on November 9th. The elderly and youngins' are welcome alike. There is a link to a video clip that you might enjoy on my blog that shows the artwork of many artists who exhibited at Tohono Chul in 2007. Yes, one of my paintings is in there, but not labeled---it's a really good video made by a local show called Az Illustrated.
Do you have any celebrations like this in Sacramento?
I have been to a few wonderful El Dia exhibits here in Sacramento, but not until this year when one of my Mexican art students suggest that the whole class do some Dia watercolor paintings and hang them in a local Mexican restaurant, did the event become more significant for me. It really is a wonderful celebration of life and death. What a gift the city of Tucson (and the entire country) has been given from south of the border and what a wonderful yearly tradition your town has initiated!
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