...those that came before

Dia de los muertos: celebrate, honor, and learn from those that came before us!

Dia de los muertos @ Gallery 360

 Dia de los muertos / day of the dead celebration at Galery 360, Little Rock! Gallery 360 will open its doors to the celebration at 6:00 pm November 1, 1012. I will have 6 art quitls on exhibit and an altar installation. Please join us for the fiesta!

 Different conception of death
In Mexican culture there is a philosophical acceptance of death as an integral part of the cycle of life; death is just another phase of life itself. The ancient Mexicans philosophy and religion encompasses this duality in life and nature, life and death were linked in the journey from one world to the next. Instead of fearing death, it is embraced and considered a “moving-on” to a higher level of consciousness. Again this varies and is not a blanket statement but in my observations, research, and experiences this thought has been infused in various ways and manifests in different forms throughout generations

About dia de los muertos / day of the dead

• Celebrated since before the arrival of the Conquistadors in 1500 B.C. in Mexico
• Concepts of death and afterlife existed in the Olmec, Toltec, Maya, and Aztec cultures.
• Special homage was designated to those warriors who died in battle, women who died during childbirth, children, and healers. It was believed they went to a special place where they enjoyed their afterlife. It was thought that their spirits returned to visit the living in the form of butterflies. Many celebrate the Monarch as the return of these loved ones. 
•  It is not the Mexican version of Halloween or scary or morbid; there are no images of gory dead people, ghosts, or witches. It is a festive time.
• It does not honor death or devils; the devil didn’t exist in ancient Mexico until Christianity arrived. It is not a cult and has nothing to with cults.
• Dia de los muertos is different by region of the country and by degree of urbanization in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
• It is a time for friends and family to remember those who are deceased.
• It is a time to reflect upon our lives, our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and purpose of our own existence.
• Celebrated November 1st where children are remembered and November 2nd for adults.

Altars or personal remembrance spaces share community and personal history
Remembering friends, family, and historical individuals keeps their stories and memories alive. It provides an opportunity for those who do not know about them or their work to learn about someone significant in your life, a period in history, or tell a story of a community.

Traditional Three Levels Many Indigenous people believe in the 3 deaths. The first when the body ceases to function. Second is when the body is returned to the earth; we all are a part of nature. And the third and final death when there is no one left to remember us

Scents

• Copal incense is burned to clear the path for spirits return; its strong aroma guides the spirits home. 
• Marigolds and other flowers; Marigolds "the flower with 400 lives," were thought by the Aztec to symbolize death. It is believed that the scent of the petals forms a welcome path for the spirits to return to their altar or grave.

Tradition of salt, water, and favorite foods

• ·A glass of water to quench the thirst after the journey from the other side.

• Salt is considered the spice of life; it is provided for the dead to spice up things because the sense of taste may be lacking since they have been gone.
• Fruits, favorite foods, and beverages of the deceased are prepared for the dead to feast on the aromas. The food is placed on the altar and stories are shared as is the food.

Personal Items

• New clothing and grooming products such as soap, washcloth, comb for the dead to refresh after the long journey back. As well as a chair for resting.
• Photos and items of the one being honored. Capture the essence of the person or persons being honored; include personal items cooking utensils, tools, games, toys, sewing items and so on.

• Skeletons   By remembering the deceased each year we cheat the final death. This is the reason the skeletons are smiling.  Skeletons represent death and rebirth. They symbolize the “eternalness” of the soul or spirit of the deceased. Sugar skulls are reminders that memories are sweet!

like a falling star...

Time was like a falling star for me so as I look at the date of my last post I realize that it has been awhile. In the spirit of taking care of myself I found it was necessary that I take some time to process the experiences in my life. Sometimes as we walk this Good Red Road of life we need to pause and find a place to rest and just be totally present in the moment. Being still can be challenging work and I find it necessary for growth. Being still and soaking in all that is around you to connect with yourself and where you are in the universe, physically, mentally, emotionally, creatively, and spiritually can be good medicine.

I took some time to look back down the path, acknowledge where I have walked and celebrate the messages and lessons learned. I stopped to take a deep breath and gather what I need to begin walking forward again. So after time for reflection, re framing, and shedding new skin I am once again ready to begin moving forward. Take time to pause on your walk and celebrate where you are on the road right now.

Venado Blanco...White Deer Medicine

Venado Blanco (c) Sabrina Zarco 2011

The summer heat changes the air around the trees and the creek is eerily silent. I live surrounded on three sides by trees and wildlife. Lately outdoor visions and movements seem dream like as we are slowly drained of our energy. I had to do a double take on the way to work one morning as I left the driveway. I looked up and saw a 5pt buck and doe standing on the asphalt of the cul de sac. I have to admit my first thought was who put the fake Christmas deer in the road? Then I realized they are real and were just as stunned looking back at me. And like a cheesy commercial lovers moment we lock eyes, no breathing, and then they turn into wisps of fog as they fade into the woods.

What a doll!

One of my favorite things to do is go treasure hunting, antiquing, thrift store shopping, visit estate sales and sometimes garage sales. Its about the entire process and the unexpected treasure you find on the journey. Looking for tesoritos that as my Beloved says,"tickle my eyes". I look for things that inspire, to add to my artwork, home collections or just appreciate. I like to find patterns in things and listen to the stories each item holds. A recent trip had me fascinated with dolls. These munecas were filled with stories about how they were loved, not loved, cast out or treasured. They sat in displays and I could hear them shouting out to be seen. Life is about the stories. The ones we experience, hear or create. So here I honor the small simulated human forms that caught my eye for one reason or another. I shine light on their stories and challenge you to stop and listen to the story of the one that catches your eye. 

Presidents House Quilts Exhibit

 

My dear amiga Michelle Flamer has done a wonderful job of curating an amazing exhibit. The Constitution Center, with the Independence Visitor Center and the African American Museum of Philadelphia, will mount the joint exhibition, "The President's: Their Untold Stories in Quilts" - more than 40 quilts inspired by stories of the nine enslaved Africans held by Washington at the President's House in Philadelphia.

The President’s House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts

Curator: Michelle D. Flamer, Esquire

           

The truth is stark and the irony undeniable: the first President of the United States, who established a new democracy built upon principles of freedom and equality, was himself a slaveholder.  George and Martha Washington kept nine people enslaved as their domestic servants in Philadelphia’s First Executive Mansion. 

Like the West African “griot” or storyteller, this collection of art quilts relates the history of the President’s House and its nine enslaved inhabitants. The artists represented in this exhibit are a geographically diverse, multiracial and multicultural group of both internationally acclaimed and novice art quilters. With only fabric and thread, we celebrate the humanity, dignity and courage of slaves in the President’s House. These art quilts are intended to provoke a uniquely American dialogue about slavery and freedom in the paradigm of democracy.   
 

http://articles.philly.com/2011-02-23/news/28620686_1_quilts-exhibit-planners-artifacts

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110222_Constitution_Center_to_highlight_Washington__quilts.html

http://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/news/whyy022311.htm

  

 

"Divine Nine"

(c) Sabrina Zarco, 2011

On exhibit in the African American Museum of Philadelphia 

The President's: Their Untold Stories in Quilts

This work honors the divine human spirits held as slaves by those in leadership promoting freedom. The juxtaposition of these concepts is at its core incomprehensible. President Washington’s “ownership” over slaves dictated where and how they would live, what they could wear, separated families and even removed slave’s teeth to replace his own. Slavery in this country continues in various forms. Let this work remind us that none of us are free until we are all free.

The "slave shirt" is made of burlap often what was used to "cut down costs". Names of the Divine Nine are listed above, background fabric is the US Declaration of Independence. There is bead work and hand and machine quilting. I  will post detail and more clear photo later. If you are in or near the Philly area stop by and enjoy the exhibit.


Gracias Michelle for all you have done to make this powerful truth telling exhibit a reality!