Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) - Tiempo de Reflexionar (A Time to reflect)
10/6-11/3 2019
Rhizome DC
6950 Maple St NW

Day of the Dead signifies a time in which communities come together to remember their loved ones – the ways in which that is done varies across traditional lines. To an uneducated public, it has become synonymous with Mexico seen only as candied skulls and skeleton painted faces that is often confused with an offensive Halloween costume. Not only is it experienced differently across Mexico but it is also celebrated throughout Latin America dating back to pre-colonization. This exhibit aims to reclaim this holiday that has been gentrified, repackaged as décor, and sold in party stores across the USA. Our culture, identity and experiences are not for sale. This exhibit encourages the Rhizome community to discern, contemplate, mourn, and remember in order to process, heal and contribute at ones comfort level.

The walls will be transformed into a space for writing the names of those who have passed away as a way to remember our loved ones and the names of those that society aims to have forgotten. Portions of the wall will be dedicated to those who have been murdered by police in 2019, to include those whose deaths continue to empower marginalized communities in North America. The physical writing down of names is a powerful exercise in itself... In addition to the wall of names, the public can record their own thoughts and in turn listen to those who have left their words for others. There will also be a hanging installation of "skin" by Laura Irene for the public to reflect in for as long or as little as needed.

In addition and coinciding with the Day of the Dead holiday across Latin America, the public will be invited to build an altar with the artist the evening of October 30th. This altar will be a homage to cultural influences and in honor of ancestors that have passed on. It will be prepared by anyone that wishes to participate as a way to collectively dig into their roots and present a space that gives a unique view of death through life by bringing items from their own culture/life to decorate the altar with. You do not have to bring items to participate, as it is about the community building together. On that following Sunday, November 3rd, the public is invited back to Rhizome at 8pm for a candlelight ceremony around the altar. All are welcome join in this communal experience and are encouraged to participate based on level of comfort. Visitors are invited to bring a photo of a loved one who have passed away to share with the community on that night.

Dia de Muertos
Curated by Laura Irene
September 4 - Nov 4, 2018
Strathmore Mansion
10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Opening Reception + Artist Panel:
Thursday, September 6, 2018 7-9pm

Community Event: Friday, November 2, 2018 8-10pm
The public is invited to bring a photo of a loved one lost to share their/your story with the community or participate as a bystander. The altar will be on view from Nov 1-Nov 3.

Fiesta: Friday, November 2nd : 10pm-1am (following the community gathering)
DJ collective Maracuyea will be spiinin' tunes into the night + late night view of the exhibit.

Curatorial Statement :

Day of the Dead signifies a time in which communities come together to remember their loved ones – the ways in which that is done varies across traditional lines. To an uneducated public, it has become synonymous with Mexico seen only as candied skulls and skeleton painted faces that is often confused with an offensive Halloween costume. Not only is it experienced differently across Mexico but it is also celebrated throughout Latin America dating back to pre-colonization. This exhibit aims to reclaim this holiday that has been gentrified, repackaged as décor, and sold in party stores across the USA. The culture, identity and experiences of these artists are not for sale.

The artists selected for this exhibit come from a new generation giving a current perspective of what this time means to them as Latin American artists living in the USA. These artists will express their own perspective of death while also discerning the separation and/or connection with the tradition itself as generations shift, change and grow. Acknowledging the seeds planted many moons ago by their ancestors, it is through their work that they will bring back the authenticity of Day of the Dead to a space that now includes them. In this exhibit artists will discern, contemplate, mourn, and remember in order to process, heal and express their own truth.

-Laura Irene

Participating Artists:
Ana Armengod
Jessica Aguero
Erick Antonio Benitez
Cindy Santos Bravo
Ariel Cavalcante Foster
Jonathan Howard
Katty Huertas
Laura Irene
Paula Martinez
Veronica Melendez
Nadia Rea Morales
Edgar Reyes.