Day of the Dead Series (a long term project)

Since the early 1970’s, a beautiful & surreal festival occurs annually on the night of November 2nd in San Francisco’s Mission district area - it’s the Day of the Dead. We live in a world where every culture has its way in dealing with death. And the significance of the DOTD deals with the abstract relations of the living to the dead, mixed with personal & intimate aspects of a traditional & joyful celebration that honors & welcomes back the souls of the departed, all while mocking death. It’s a journey for the living to move through their grief while having time to heal. The DOTD dates back more than 3000 years ago, in the southern part of Mexico. The belief is that on this night the mystical barrier between the living & the dead opens to create a space allowing souls to enter & mingle with the living for a brief period. On the day, women artists can be seen on the streets, elegantly painting people’s faces to resemble skulls. Bakeries display colorful baked goodies: breads - sweet, spicy or plain representing the human body. Available too are confections: sugary skulls & skeletons, miniature coffins, candid fruits & chocolate figurines. Restaurants prepare favorite dishes such as the decadent spicy chicken mole, sweet & savory tamales. Drinks offered in addition to water, include: atole (a drink of maize meal), beers & alcohol. For everyone, it’s a time to enjoy a feast & perhaps feel the presence of the departed. Extra delicacies are food offerings for the altars of the dead. The thinking is that the dead will consume the essence of the meal & drink, while they are among the living. Meanwhile at Garfield Park, artists, families & friends of dead loved ones begin to construct their personal altars for exhibition. All are adorned with artifacts & personal offerings of a life before death: flowers, food & drink, candlesticks, paper mache, figurines, incense, photos, epithets or poems & more. When done, the landscape is filled with altars that are magically transform into a brilliant mixture of lights & colorful objects. The site serves as a gateway between the present world & the afterlife. With darkness, the streets are flooded with people dressed in symbolic costumes. Some carry photos of the deceased, lit candles or flowers. Before the night procession begins, the sacred Aztec dance calls everyone together. For the Aztecs, this world was set at the center of four great cardinal regions of the universe. The four world directions, north, south, east & west, are each blessed by a shaman using incense during his sacramental prayers. After which, a cornucopia of musicians play pulsating music, while dancers perform as floats begin to move through the streets leading people toward Garfield Park - the site of the altars. At the park, the cool evening embraces the marchers as they quietly enter to view the altars. This holy space is the emotional balance for the living & the dead to mingle, as swells of people move about in reverence. Somewhere in the distance, music can be heard softly playing's & gives the evening a surreal feel. The DOTD one of most effecting & beautiful events to witness & participate in.