Statement:
"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?" ( Edgar Allan Poe, 1844, The Premature Burial). To all the poets and writers who affect our life and death. A Calavera Fashion show and Walking Altar performance at Tropico de Nopal (Los Angeles, CA), Ofrendas 2008.
Medium:
fabric, buttons, foam, canvas, shells, paper, thread, trim
Year:
2009
Statement:
Inspired by Japanese Noh theater – devoted to the inner lives of ghosts. A Calavera Fashion show and Walking Altar performance at Tropico de Nopal (Los Angeles, CA), Ofrendas 2009. Live sound performance by Aaron Kuehn.
Contributor:
Aaron Kuehn, Kashmere Silva, Ashley Moon, Amanda Kelly
Artform:
costume, performance, sound
Method:
sewing
Medium:
fabric
Year:
2006
Statement:
For those who ride the cycle of life and death, day and night. The calaveras represent people who died riding bicycles. The calaveras wear warm winter caps and lobster gloves, and have 'chain-link' breast plates to protect them riding after death. A Calavera Fashion show and Walking Altar performance at Tropico de Nopal (Los Angeles, CA), Ofrendas 2006. Sound by: Aaron Kuehn
Statement:
Inspired by an explanation that on Dia de los Muertos, the spirits feel truly free. — Leora: To finish the slow part of the "dance", each calavera will be showered in marigold petals, encouraging her to unveil out of the cloak, and begin her celebration of her free spirit.
(The percussive music begins...) Two calaveras will play the claves, and two will dance with mirrors and admire themselves. The calaveras will dance with each other, and out to the audience. They may shower the audience with left-over marigold petals. This brings the piece to a celebrational note, and raises the energy for the celebration of the other calaveras as they reemerge for their finale appearance.
