It was a dark night at Maude Kerns Gallery for the opening.
The night was the celebration of Dia De Los Muertos.
"The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died."
"The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years, and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl."
The alters and art decorated the walls...
... and were wonderful creations.
I remember the dancers from last year who provide the gallery visitors with a great show of traditional dance from adults...
... to young children.
There were many skeletons and ghosts in the crafts made to celebrate those loved ones who were remembered.
I still remember All Souls Day from when I was in Catholic school as just another extra day out of school as a nice thing about all the Catholic holidays - no school!
After visiting the alters it was time for the dance...
...and it was announced with the blowing of a shell and applause.
Karen Pavelec Came to the stage to announce the dancers and welcome those who came to the event.
One of the young dancers cheered.
I thought it looked a lot like the woman in the painting was resting her head on this man's shoulder.
The audience formed a circle around the perimeter...
... we had one more announcement from one of the dance group...
... and the dancers took the floor like graceful angels.
The costumes and traditional dance was wonderful to watch.
The attendees were also interesting ...
... and I'm sure their smiles and appreciation spurred the dancers on to greater heights.
The thing I like about the dance is how the camera catches the flair of the skirts as material crackles as it is shaped by the dancers moves.
The smiles of these dancers really expresses the love of dance and the performance.
The children were a rainbow of colors...
... dancing like rows of flowers in a wind.
Then an older group returned with a flip of a skirt...
... and a wonderful smile the fabric flashed and fluttered.
There is a real beauty in dance and it is in the heart and soul of the dancers...
... and it's only in the still images we can see complexity of motion.
Like a blur frozen you see the shape of infinity.
In the gestures we can see the reality of life...
... the flirting and interaction...
... and you are drawn into the festival.
For the young women it's that tradition instills pride of heritage and custom.
To the audience it's performance to appreciate and enjoy.
To the children it's playing at life ...
... and dressing up ...
,,, or wondering why we have to dance ...
... or just being funny trying to hide how nervous we all are at times.
For me it's a time to by chance capture a piece of art in the milieu of an evening with my camera in tow and my mind wide open.
No scrabble
Quote of the Day ~
"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~ Kahlil Gibran
1 comment:
This blog reminds me of the wonderful game Grim Fandango.
Thanks for sharing.
~~PF~~
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