Thursday, November 11, 2010

Shadow Shot Sunday 78 - Oaxaca















We are all used to Grinning Death or The Grim Reaper casting his shadow over us, and making us shiver with presentiments of our own mortality, but here in Oaxaca on Day of the Dead, artists were turning the tables.....














and casting their own shadows over Death as they laboured to create the Giant Sand Paintings (los tapetes monumentales) for the Day of the Dead festivities in front of the Cathedral...









Such pieces of folk art depicting skulls, skeletons, bones and Catrinas are all typically part of the traditions in honouring the dead for this unique festival here in Mexico.These are particularly wonderful in their fragile transience and ephemerality. For more details about the step by step construction of these giant sand paintings see the previous post.......



For more fun with shadows around the world, click here for Shadow Shot Sunday....

19 comments:

Joanna said...

What an amazing tradition. I enjoyed your post about this a lot, Catherine. We were in Oaxaca about 22 years ago. We loved the cultural richness of the area.

lotusleaf said...

Your photos of the unique trdition are very good.

Fly Girl said...

How whimsical! You know I love the colors. I'm steeped in a lot of traditional Mexican culture right now because Chicago is getting ready to celebrate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution next week. Mexican art and culture is everwhere and I love it.

Lynne with an e said...

The image of the caged skull provokes many associative thoughts about trying to contain death and control one's own mortality, or sense of it. All in all, the imagery of death never looked so good. A wonderful celebration.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

When death comes calling,
the artist laughs in his face:
“What? You want me? Ha!”


SSS: Blue Windows

jabblog said...

That must be an amazing sight. What painstaking work.

Sylvia K said...

It is an amazing tradition and your photos/posts have been terrific, Catherine! Always love getting to have a photo visit to Mexico and the lovely memories they bring! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

Ralph said...

The reaper doesn't look so scary as winsome, leading us to another place, a tourist guide perhaps. this is amazing art!

Tom Hilton said...

Very cool. Really makes me want to go back to Oaxaca--it's been way too long.

Alissa Nicolau said...

The colors are beautiful.

EG CameraGirl said...

I was at first taken back a little by the first photo. I'm sure it was laughing at me!

I think the Day of the Dead is a brilliant way to honour the dead.

Anonymous said...

Super photos, and thanks for the info!

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous, Catherine. I'd like to go back to Oaxaca, as it has been many, many years.
Your photos are wonderful.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Beverley Baird said...

What an amazing display for Day of the Dead! The artwork is so colourful!
Great shadows as well!
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Hey Harriet said...

I would love to have been part of those festivities. It looks like an amazing event to see! Your photos are cool! Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

Sarah said...

Catherine, it's fun to find your blog. We've traveled to Oaxaca. It is both beautiful and charming. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Molly said...

At a click of a mouse, the world gets smaller. Catherine, brilliant photos! Thank you for your visit to my blogsite.

Catherine said...

thanks for all the comments this week - very much appreciated...

Owen said...

Hey, that first guy, the one blushing red... he looks familiar... might be my cousin...