This past weekend I attended the Oxo Tower Bargehouse’s Dia de los Muertos celebration in conjunction with the Embassy of Mexico, Arte Mexico, and Jose Cuervo. There were arts and crafts workshops for children, multiple exhibitions from artists (including the Chapman brothers, Luis Felipe Ortega and Graciela Iturbide) surrounding the theme of Dia de los Muertos, tequila masterclasses, and a constant screening of the film “Under the Volcano”.
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday to remember loved ones who’ve passed, honor them and send prayers to the recently departed. Marigolds are used as the traditional flower to honor the dead, and they are sometimes thought to attract the souls of the dead to the offerings being made to them. I grew up in a very remote area between the tiny villages of Tajique and Torreon in the mountains of New Mexico, and I’ll always remember seeing the processions that other families made to the local church. (Especially on November 1st, Dia de los Inocentes, which is a day to honor deceased children and infants.)
The altar at the Bargehouse was done by Rodolfo Villena and is dedicated to the unknown soldier of WWI. I loved some of the exhibitions that appeared throughout the Bargehouse, and I wish they were going to be on display for longer! In particular, I loved the gallery of photos of centenarians.
Drawings to be part of the drawing exchange.
On exhibit encouraged visitors to interact with it the sculptures in an unusual way….
Did you get the chance to venture into the Bargehouse this past weekend?
