More Thoughts on the Days of the Dead

 

I'm not sure exactly why I like this holiday so much, considering that Halloween doesn't appeal to me at all. I definitely like the humor of it but also that it is about remembering and honoring people you care about who are no longer here. We don't talk about death much in our culture but I like the Mexican view that death is a part of the cycle of life. And as we remember our loved ones, so we, too, hope to be remembered.

The Mexican skeletons and toys so often seen around the Days of the Dead often depict skeletons dressed for different professions, showing that, no matter what we do in life, we are all equal in death.

As an art teacher, you can decide how much you want to share with your students about this holiday. With my elementary students, we honored the Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, so our remembrance becomes an art history lesson as well. with the addition of our school's skeleton model in my art room, a science lesson about the structure of the skeleton is included. I've also seen elementary art teachers have students create cards and mementos to remember their pets who have passed on.

However you approach it, I encourage you to learn more about the Days of the Dead and share its true meaning with your administrators so they will support your efforts. We presented a procession and performance at my elementary school for years with the support of my principals, music teacher, and librarian and never had a complaint.

The artworks you see here were at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and are by the Linares family, the most celebrated Mexican artists known for their exquisite papier mache skeletons. How can you look at them and not smile?