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Thursday, October 28, 2010 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
Gone but not forgotten Families honor late loved ones with artistic altars BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing columnist cgavin@bakersfield.com
For Marilyn Munoz, building a memorial altar on Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has a dual purpose. One is to share memories of loved ones who have died; the other is to acquaint her three teenagers with traditions she grew up with in Guadalajara, Mexico. “It is to reflect on my past and what those people meant to me,” Munoz said. “And it’s a way of sharing my culture with my kids.” Her three teenagers are looking forward to helping make the altar the family will erect at Tuesday’s Altares de Familia at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. “They will ask me, ‘Is this the way you do it in Mexico?’ and I tell them it’s different but we try to do our best,” said Munoz, who is a health and social services coordinator at the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation’s Delano center. One difference is the location. Traditionally, families go to the cemetery and erect an altar at a loved one’s grave, but, for this event, the altars will be erected in the museum’s gardens. “The real thing is to bring lots of food for everyone to eat,” Munoz explained.” For those at the museum it’s more symbolic — we’ll have just a little bit of menudo, potatoes and flour tortillas.” This is the second time the Munoz family has participated in the museum event. Last year they honored Marilyn’s father; this year it will be her grandfather and several uncles. Everything will be placed on an 8-foot table that will have several tiers her husband, Jorge Munoz, is making out of fiberboard. Other items she plans to incorporate in the altar are religious items, such as a cross and a rosary, pictures of the deceased taken at a young age, a boom box with which to play their favorite CDs and fresh flowers. “The (flowers) I want to get are marigolds, a kind that are only grown
FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN
Participants in the Altares de Familia in 2009 incorporated in their altars skeletons and items that represented their loved ones who have died. do so by calling the museum or by downloading an application form at Altares de Familia bmoa.org. The form also lists certain rules. For example, candles must be in When: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday candle holders and altars must be Where: Bakersfield Museum of made from wood, not cardboard. Art, 1930 R St. Entertainment includes the Kern Admission: Free County Youth Mariachi group, arts Information: 323-7219 and crafts by Crafts by Amistad and the museum art staff, dancing by Book-release reception COTLA Community Group, a cooking demonstration for kids by Chef MadWhen: 5 to 7 p.m. today die, art by Alberto Herrera, dancing by Where: The Foundry, 1700 Ballet Folklorico Mi Tierra, storyChester Ave. telling by representatives from Russo's Admission: $5 Books and Barnes & Noble, and food Information: vendors including Audrey's Cafe and art@nicolebrowning.com or 301COTLA.. 3283 At 7:15 p.m., Jess Nieto of the Heritage of America Educational & CulDay of the Dead tural Foundation will also host an informational discussion about Dia de When: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday los Muertos in the museum’s banquet Where: La Galeria, 1414 High St., room. Delano Setup begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The Information: 444-1564 general public can view the altars from 5 to 8 p.m. that evening. in Mexico,” she said. “Last year I got them from a lady in Modesto — I hope I can get them again.” Want to build an altar? The ancient holiday is celebrated in It’s not too late. several cultures, and has roots in the Call the museum or download an Aztec era where the spirits of the dead application form at bmoa.org. were honored. Certain rules apply; for example, More than 20 altars will be on discandles must be in candle play at the museum, said Beth Pandol, holders and altars must be made marketing director. Other families from wood, not cardboard. interested in creating an altar can still
OTHER DIA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENTS The Foundry in downtown Bakersfield is hosting a photograph book-release party this evening. From a Foundry media release: Over the last 5 months, photographer Lindsey Kimball (Left Coast Design Studio), makeup artist Austin Ivey, and hairstylist Linsey Brown have transformed and photographed 20 models, all in Bakersfield locations. The result of the collaborative efforts is the book "Through the Lens of the Living: The
Dia de los Muertos Project." A live Muertos transformation will take place at the gallery as guests will be able to see makeup artist Austin Ivey at work. The $5 cover includes entry into the grand prize drawing of one Muertos photography shoot, which includes hair, makeup, and a print from the session. Winner will be drawn at random at the end of the reception. La Galeria in Delano will celebrate
Day of the Dead on Tuesday. From a La Galeria media release: La Galeria will celebrate Day of the Dead, a life tradition, remembering our favorite artists with an emphasis on Frida Kahlo. The event will feature art dedicated to artists like Kahlo, Rivera, Picasso, Dahli, and others. There will be art featuring abstract and contemporary artists, art raffles, children’s art, live music, wine and appetizers.
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