Public Project
Día de muertos in Old Town
Día de muertos in Old Town
Día de muertos is a Mexican celebration that honors those who have passed on by remembering friends and family who have died. There are many traditions connected to this cultural practice (including a visit to the cemetery, altars with sugar skulls, photographs of loved ones, different types of food and tequila or other beverages, and especially bright-orange marigold flowers). It is also common to see representations of skulls and "La Catrina" (an upper-class Mexican socialite woman depicted as a skeleton) made famous by the artist/engraver José Guadalupe Posada. These influences have become quite popular, and dressing up with a skull face or Catrina costume has added a macabre but also playful and colorful touch to the Day of the Dead activities. My photos depict some of these characters found at a local celebration at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, always on November 2nd. I have been documenting the celebration for years, and I decided to bring together a collection of photographs that show a strong visual representation of the festivities.
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