Medium: Mix Media Installation

Size: 11X18 Feet X 12 Feet High

Year: 2008

Description: THE DAY OF THE DEAD IN MEXICO CELEBRATES LIFE My Installation "Catrina" honors my ancestors in the Mexican tradition The Day of the Dead is Mexico’s most important holiday. The day is set aside to honor our ancestors because without them we would not exist. We thank them for everything they gave us, including our culture and pride. The Mayas, Aztecs, Mixteco-Zapotecas and present day Mexicans believe in life after death or, better said life after life. Death is a transition so it is not necessarily a sad event. The Day of the Dead, celebrates every November 2nd, is a day dedicated to celebrate with our departed loved ones. All cemeteries in Mexico celebrate the Day of the Dead with music, food, flowers and fireworks. People bring favorite objects to the tombs in order to feel closer with their loved ones and as a way of sharing moments together. Regardless of where the celebration is held, the fiestas also include altars, which can be made with very complex motifs depending upon the region. The altars always contain these elements: Papel picado: (cut paper) representing the wind, candles representing fire, water represented by tequila, mescal or simply glasses of water and earth represented by flowers. Mexicans also gather in churches and bring various calaveras (skulls) made of sugar or papier mache. The idea of death is represented by a skeleton which goes by various names such as “La Flaca” (the skinny one), “La Huesuda” (the boney one), “La Calva” (the baldy one), as a way of mocking death. My work consists of paintings, sculptures and installations. I use different media, including oil, acrylic, water color, clay, glass, and designer cast. I like to make installations because they allow me to play with a wide range of materials. I am a Mexican-American local artist with roots in Chiapas and Studio in Bethesda, Maryland. I have exhibited throughout Mexico and the United States, to include frequently in the Washington, D.C. area. I have paintings in numerous collections in the U.S. and Mexico. My next exhibit of Oil Paintings and Sculptures will be at the ORCHARD GALLERY, located at 7917 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, from July 10 throughout July 30, 2008. Please visit my Website www.maraodette.com Mara Odette Artomatic 2008 Washington, D.C.