As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho Section 11/7/09
Having put Halloween in the rear view mirror, I have to say the steady stream of trick-or-treaters at my front door last Saturday night was more like a trickle. And that goes for what I saw on the street as well. Where were all the little ghosts and goblins? While trick-or-treating with my youngest daughter and our usual group of friends, it was quite obvious to us all that the numerous decorated houses with multiple jack-o-lanterns, spider webs and 2D witches clinging to the trees in years past were few and far between. In their place were deliberately dark porches sans decorations.
I know I am not alone on this observation; my friend, Dave in Florida said this was the first Halloween that he had candy left over. As I called dibs on his remaining fun size Almond Joys, a sense of sadness came over me. Is the act of going house-to-house begging for candy on October 31 becoming a thing of the past just like pet rocks, Red Ball Jet sneakers and disco? Life has changed dramatically in the last thirty years and the world isn’t as safe as it once was.
But where there is a yin, there is a yang. Whereas Halloween may be losing its popularity, another timely tradition continues to evolve more prominently every year. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration of deceased ancestors which occurs on November 1 and November 2 and coincides with the similar Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Day of the Dead celebrations are gaining popularity proven by the many parades and parties that now take place about this time every year. Many artists find this spiritual celebration captivating and reflect that in their highly whimsical and colorful art that is found at craft shows, gift shops and museums. This weekend you will find a plethora of folk art commemorating the Day of the Dead at the Arte de Muertos Expo at the Santa Ana Start Casino.
Hank Estrada is the creative energy behind Arte de Muertos Productions and although the event is relatively new, it’s already a sell out. “Just within its first year the Expo has grown to become New Mexico’s largest assemblage of Day of the Dead artists ever,” said Estrada. “Our artists come from all over the state. We have even now attracted artists from the neighboring states of Texas, Arizona, Colorado and old Mexico.”
I attended their summer event and ended up spending more than I had planned on a couple of folk art pieces that were not Day of the Dead inspired. “We pride ourselves in featuring both traditional and contemporary examples of art,” said Estrada. “Among this year’s Expo, artists will be representing the art forms of paper Mache, carpentry, glass, jewelry, masks, mixed media, feather craft, and even a local woman who makes authentic coffins,” gleamed Estrada. I saw this artist at the July event, and if you can get over the shock of seeing coffins at an arts and crafts fair, the artwork is really beautiful.
One of my favorite authors, Antonio Garcez will be at the Expo today signing his collection of ghost story books including his latest book, Colorado Ghost Stories.
“The Expo has a great atmosphere, a real sense of family and fiesta,” said Estrada. “We have lots of music and today we have numerologists, Ouija board psychics and tarot card readers.”
Honor your ancestors or just get a jump on your holiday shopping and check out the Arte de Muertos Expo today or tomorrow. I’ll be the one with the skull painted face with too many shopping bags to carry.
Quote of the Week: “The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.” - Stephen Ambrose, historian. 1936-2002
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