Thursday, November 03, 2005
Yesterday--nice day walking to Exploratorium with view of Bay.
After DUX training went off to Dia de Los Muertos parade in Mission district. Convinced another volunteer to come with so got dropped off right where the action was. At first had trouble finding it, people wandering around, gathered around color soil mural, going to events in cultural center. Wandered to try to meet parade, then ended up joining in, as did people along the way. Many people dressed up as skeletons, ghostly brides, Frida Kahlos, Diego Rivera paintings, ghost of lost luggage display, people on stilts and a lot of random people walking with candles, some with pictures and tributes to loved ones. After passed Cultural center, Aztec dancers joined in, lead by 3-4 year old girl in full regalia who everyone stopped to take a picture of. My own camera film soon ran out trying to capture all the original costumes. At one point wanted to take a group shot of Diego/Fridha inspired costumes and got the following slip of paper:
After the procession was over,ended at community park with many altars, candles, installations. One seemed to be a performance art piece, with 2 Asian women, one in Navy robes and one in white almost bridal outfit. They would choose a person from the audience, dress them in a Navy robe and have them lie down in a casket with flowers. One guy came with his Powerbook and insisted on lying down with that next to his heart, with the flowers to the side. When he finished, he told someone "If you're a Mac owner, you understand!". Another installation had paper mache skulls and flowers amidst slide show of Hurricane Katrina damage.
After DUX training went off to Dia de Los Muertos parade in Mission district. Convinced another volunteer to come with so got dropped off right where the action was. At first had trouble finding it, people wandering around, gathered around color soil mural, going to events in cultural center. Wandered to try to meet parade, then ended up joining in, as did people along the way. Many people dressed up as skeletons, ghostly brides, Frida Kahlos, Diego Rivera paintings, ghost of lost luggage display, people on stilts and a lot of random people walking with candles, some with pictures and tributes to loved ones. After passed Cultural center, Aztec dancers joined in, lead by 3-4 year old girl in full regalia who everyone stopped to take a picture of. My own camera film soon ran out trying to capture all the original costumes. At one point wanted to take a group shot of Diego/Fridha inspired costumes and got the following slip of paper:
Dear Friend,
Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos marks the time when the "veil between the world draws thin." With its roots in pre-Christian pagan rites, it is a time of mourning the recent dead and connecting with the ancestors.It also marks the end of the growing season as we pass into the darkness and metaphoric death of winter.Traditionally it is a time to participate to join the procession rather than watch from the side. I encourage you to put down your camera and feel your connection to the ancestors. Experience rather than document. Honour death by letting the priceless images pass before your eyes uncaptured. Just consider it. Thanks.
Katrina of the Dead
After the procession was over,ended at community park with many altars, candles, installations. One seemed to be a performance art piece, with 2 Asian women, one in Navy robes and one in white almost bridal outfit. They would choose a person from the audience, dress them in a Navy robe and have them lie down in a casket with flowers. One guy came with his Powerbook and insisted on lying down with that next to his heart, with the flowers to the side. When he finished, he told someone "If you're a Mac owner, you understand!". Another installation had paper mache skulls and flowers amidst slide show of Hurricane Katrina damage.
Comments:
Post a Comment
