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:
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.
Your photos of the unique trdition are very good.
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.
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.
When death comes calling,
the artist laughs in his face:
“What? You want me? Ha!”
SSS: Blue Windows
That must be an amazing sight. What painstaking work.
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
The reaper doesn't look so scary as winsome, leading us to another place, a tourist guide perhaps. this is amazing art!
Very cool. Really makes me want to go back to Oaxaca--it's been way too long.
The colors are beautiful.
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.
Super photos, and thanks for the info!
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
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!
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 :)
Catherine, it's fun to find your blog. We've traveled to Oaxaca. It is both beautiful and charming. Thanks for sharing the photos.
At a click of a mouse, the world gets smaller. Catherine, brilliant photos! Thank you for your visit to my blogsite.
thanks for all the comments this week - very much appreciated...
Hey, that first guy, the one blushing red... he looks familiar... might be my cousin...
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