The Figge Art Museum presents the exhibition, Day of the Dead or El Día de los Muertos.
Presented in partnership with Casa Guanajuato Mexican Cultural Center. This exhibition opens on October 11 and runs to November 16.
El Día de los Muertos is a Mexican cultural tradition where family and friends gather to celebrate the lives of relatives and friends who have passed away. Rituals that celebrate deaths of ancestors can be traced back 3,000 years.
Traditionally, families would create altars or ofrendas to invite the souls to come home, and making them feel comfortable and joyful during their stay. The altars can include photographs, personal belongings, and symbolic items.
This exhibition will include seven Day of the Dead altars created by Casa Guanajuato Mexican Cultural Center, Latino Unidos, Augustana College; Latino Unidos, Moline High School; the Imelda Crinklaw Family; and the Jose Lopez Family.
Special foods are part of the tradition as well. Bread of the dead (pan de muerto) is commonly believed that the soul of the bread is consumed by the dead when they return to visit their loved ones.) Eating a sugar skulls (Calaveras de azucar) is a metaphor for the consumption of the living by death.
Artist Jesús Pastor, who lives in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, will serve as an Artist-in-Residence. During his visit to the Quad Cities, Mr. Pastor will install one of the altars, speak to school groups, and lead art activities at the Figge. Guided tours of the exhibition are available.
Admission is free for members or general admission for public,
On Sunday, November 2nd, Figge will host the free community celebration, Dia de los Muertos Festival from 4- 7 pm. The festival will include performers, activities, and refreshments. Museum admission will be free for this event.
Exhibition and programming sponsored by Casa Guanajuato Mexican Cultural Center (Moline, Illinois); National Council for Culture and the Arts (Mexico), the Government of the State of Guanajuato (Mexico); the City of Cortazar, located in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico; THE National Bank, Ascentra Credit Union, Latino Connection, A Division of Hanson Watson Associates; Group O, and Hola America English-Spanish newspaper.
Community Gallery exhibitions sponsored by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation Fund.
The Figge is located at 225 West Second Street, Davenport, Iowa. For more information contact the Figge at 563-326-7804 or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
-END-
