Not Dead
30.48 cm X 15.24 cm Candle, dead roses, one rose alive December 2016 As passing by the Day of the Dead, November 1st, the inspiration on creating this occurred. Piece is inspired by the passing of the artist's grandfather back when she was three years old. By farthest the most personal piece created. The intended message upon this art work is how the artist feels, which she keeps her grandfather alive in her heart. |
Inspiration
|
Research
|
This piece was inspired by the Dead of the Dead in the country of Mexico. Both my parents are from Mexico and ever since I was a little girl, they have made sure to make sense of my roots. They've taught me about all the special events that Mexicans celebrate and a special one is the Day of the Dead.
Back to when I was three years old, my grandfather (my mom's dad) passed away from a heart attack. With only being three years old the news hit me since I was attach to him even though I had only seen him three times. I had only seen him three times because he lived in Mexico and well I was here in the US. I remember standing MY the door and just seen everyone crying. I was three but I knew there was something going on, specially seen that my mother was crying like never before. Who would have known that it was going to be very last time to see him talking to me and holding me. One of my dreams is being able to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico, to live the actual celebration with my grandfather. |
The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd. This holiday ties in with the Catholic religion as well. The religion believes that on Midnight of October 31st the gates of heaven open and all of the dead people's spirits reunite with their families. On November 1st the spirits of the angelitos (angels) are the ones to come down. By angels I mean the little kids who have passed away. On November 2nd, the spirits of the adults are brought down. In most of the villages they create beautiful altars (as seen below) for the spirits to come. The altars consist of flowers, sugar skulls, food, pictures of the people who passed, candles, and tortillas. Even though both days celebrate the same purpose, the altar for each day is decorated different. Both altars do include the general things mentioned above. For the little angels altar, toys and candies are left. For the adults altar, the total opposite is placed. Tequila, and cigarrettes are offered for the altar. The celebration on November 2nd consists of cleaning the tombs, playing music, cards, and just having a wonderful bright time with those who have passed.
|
Meaning behind the piece
The essential meaning behind this piece is the death of my Grandfather. Every year for Day of the Dead, my family and I buy him a candle and light it up for him in church. That candle remains in church the whole month of November and on the December we take it home. The candle stays in my house until it finishes, meanwhile it is placed next to his picture that we have of him. My family looks beyond a simple a candle because that candle represents the light he sprouted in our lifes. For this project the candle used is the one my family bought for him this year. I utilized three roses for this project, four were dead and one was still colorful and alive. The roses symbolize that even though my grandfather passed away (the dead roses) he still is alive in my heart (the alive rose). He still remains in my heart like a light and the alive rose.
Planning
1) Brainstorming
Medium? Mixed Media
Inspirations? Day of the Dead, grandpa
Theme? Dead, Cycle of life
Medium? Mixed Media
Inspirations? Day of the Dead, grandpa
Theme? Dead, Cycle of life
2) Sketching
3) Steps to final piece
Reflection
|
ACT Questions
|
This had been by farthest the most emotional and personal piece I have created. It talks about the dead of my grandfather when I was three years old. Even though I was a little girl I still remember him, I was one of his first grandaughter's therefore he held me in a special place, as he would always tell my mom. In my house there remains a pretty decent size picture of him and evertime I see it I wonder how it would be if he was still alive. There are things that we cannot answer and we really wish we could. The topic about dead gets me tense and on a very serious mood, since it's my biggest fear. I dislike talking about dead and with this project I feel I overcame one of my accomplishments since it's a topic I don't like touching base on.
Struggles - Getting a good decent picture Failure - Focusing the camara in the light of the candle Success - The only rose alive stood out |
1. The relationship with my inspiration and piece is how they both reflect dead some way. My piece has dead roses around the candle and Day of the Dead is surrounded by people remembering their loved ones who have passed.
2) The overall view of the author, is that that special day in November 1st is dedicated to remember all those who aren't with us anymore, and celebrate in a special way. 3) The generalizations I have found is that many people who migrate to the US from Mexico, leave their customs and don't celebrate the day like they should have. Something that affects this, is the fact that the US doesn't celebrate it therefore it's not considered a big event here. 4) My central idea is to portray that even though my grandfather passed away when I was three, he still lives in my heart no matter what. 5) The conclusion I have come up with is that many people are loosing their customs due to the lack of motivation. Many leave their culture back in their home since they are entering a "new" world, the US. |
Citations
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead
* http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html
* http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html