Dia de Los Muertos Proyecto
Description
The Dia de Los Muertos project was one of the most exciting and challenging projects of the year. We researched the Spanish culture's traditions and beliefs about what happens to their loved ones once they pass on. Then we created an original art piece that reflects our interpretation of the Spanish holiday. We also wrote a description, in Spanish, of our art piece and created a digital presentation of the process.
Essential Questions
1. What is Dia de Los Muertos? Why is it significant to many Mexicanos?
It is a Mexican holiday that focuses on gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed. It is important to Mexicanos because it gives them a chance to "visit" with people who have died.
2. How is it celebrated and where?
It is celebrated in many different ways such as building private alters honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Mostly celebrated in Mexican/Latino cultures. Also in America and Canada.
3. How does the Mexican perspective of death differ from our own view?
The Mexican perspective of death is something that is celebrated and there are parties and food and dancing. Where as a regular perspective of death is a sad thing and isn't normally celebrated.
4. What are the primary artistic and cultural symbols associated with Day of the Dead?
For centuries celebrators of Day of the Dead have created magnificently decorated skulls and catrinas, fabulous candelabra, trees of life and attractive skeletons. Artists transform wood, clay, tin and paper into sculptures.
5. What do these symbols mean?
Pink: Celebration Red: Blood of Life
White: Purity and Hope Skulls: Death and Rebirth
Orange: Sun Salt & Water: Ongoing Life
6. What are the roles of children in the Day of the Dead celebration? Children do a few things on the Day of the Dead. They play "funeral" with toys that represent coffins and undertakers. Children carrying yellow marigolds enjoy the processions at the cemetary.
It is a Mexican holiday that focuses on gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed. It is important to Mexicanos because it gives them a chance to "visit" with people who have died.
2. How is it celebrated and where?
It is celebrated in many different ways such as building private alters honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Mostly celebrated in Mexican/Latino cultures. Also in America and Canada.
3. How does the Mexican perspective of death differ from our own view?
The Mexican perspective of death is something that is celebrated and there are parties and food and dancing. Where as a regular perspective of death is a sad thing and isn't normally celebrated.
4. What are the primary artistic and cultural symbols associated with Day of the Dead?
For centuries celebrators of Day of the Dead have created magnificently decorated skulls and catrinas, fabulous candelabra, trees of life and attractive skeletons. Artists transform wood, clay, tin and paper into sculptures.
5. What do these symbols mean?
Pink: Celebration Red: Blood of Life
White: Purity and Hope Skulls: Death and Rebirth
Orange: Sun Salt & Water: Ongoing Life
6. What are the roles of children in the Day of the Dead celebration? Children do a few things on the Day of the Dead. They play "funeral" with toys that represent coffins and undertakers. Children carrying yellow marigolds enjoy the processions at the cemetary.
Final Products
Art Piece
This is my final art piece. After researching different traditions of Day of the Dead, I decided to paint Catrina, the skeleton that is known to be associated with Day of the Dead. To incorporate my interpretation of the holiday, I decided to paint her lips red with "blood". I find the idea of spirits roaming around the earth a bit morbid, so I showed that with the blood. I also wanted to incorporate the joyous themes of Day of the Dead by painting marigolds, a flower that is placed on grave sites and alters during the holiday.
Written Description
English:
Having learned about this holiday and it’s joyous themes, I still find the idea of souls wandering around a bit creepy. So I wanted to incorporate my opinions into the painting by adding blood on her lips and arm.
Spanish:
Después de haber aprendido acerca de este día de fiesta y de temas alegres, me sigue pareciendo la idea de las almas errantes en torno a un poco espeluznante. Así que quería incorporar mis opiniones en la pintura mediante la adición de sangre en los labios y el brazo.
Having learned about this holiday and it’s joyous themes, I still find the idea of souls wandering around a bit creepy. So I wanted to incorporate my opinions into the painting by adding blood on her lips and arm.
Spanish:
Después de haber aprendido acerca de este día de fiesta y de temas alegres, me sigue pareciendo la idea de las almas errantes en torno a un poco espeluznante. Así que quería incorporar mis opiniones en la pintura mediante la adición de sangre en los labios y el brazo.