Día de los

MuertosDay of the

Dead

A little history...• Día de los Muertos or Day of the

Dead is over 3,000 years old ritual.

• This ritual is practiced in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, other parts of Central and South America as well as some parts of the USA.

•It is a celebration to honor your deceased relatives.

•Native people of Mexico did NOT view death as the end of life, they viewed it as the continuation of life. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.

• November 2nd is the official date for Day of the Dead, although it is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd.

• This holiday is believed to "welcome the souls of the dead." The souls are said to return each year to enjoy the pleasures that they once had in life.

More facts

Day of the Dead Art

Paper Cut-out by Carmen Lopez GarzaAztec Altar

The Altar or Ofrenda•The celebration of El Dia de los Muertos varies from region to region but one common feature is the construction of an altar.

•Traditionally, one altar is set up for each loved one.

•There are folktales believed and told that say the dead spirits will get revenge on the living if they get poor treatment during these days each year. Leaving nothing (or inferior gifts) on the altar causes the spirits to be angry or sad.

Typically, each altar consists of:

MarigoldsTheir distinct smell and vibrant color help guide the spirit homeSometimes paths of marigold petals are scattered by the family

from the cemetery to the door of the house.

Traditional foodsLike tamales & pan de muerto

More "Ofrendas" (offerings)

• Pictures of the deceased person• Religious artifacts• Favorite foods, drinks, candies• Things the person enjoyed while on

earth• Toys• More flowers • Fruit • Bright colored paper flowers or cut-

outs

Calaveras or Skulls

A common Dia de los Muertos

motif, especially

those made of sugar

Sugar Skulls(continued)

Sugar Skulls•These skulls are decorated with flowers and scrolls of colored icing and metallic colored foils.

•The skulls, bearing the names of the returning souls, are used in the ofrenda or altar.

•They can also be given to living children as treats and exchanged by sweethearts.

•The consumption of the skulls by the living is done to associate pleasant sensations with the sadness of death.

Candles

It is believed that the candle light, as well as the scents of the marigold flowers and the copal incense, help

the returning souls find their way

Preparing Graves

Papel Picado

Tissue-paper banners with cutout designs altars and homes during El Dia de los Muertos.

Other Paper Cutting Traditions

German Scherenschnitte

Polish Wycinanki

Japanese Kirigami

French Silhouettes

Kara Walker

Positive & Negative Space

Which is the positive space?

SymmetryA design (or composition) with identical or nearly identical form on opposite sides of a

dividing line or central axis

Your Papel Picado• Create 5 thumbnail

sketches of objects you want include.

• Use some of the Day of the Dead traditional imagery

• You must create at least 3 final banners

• 1 is done with NO folding

• 1 is done folded in half: with one dividing line

• 1 is done folded in four: with three dividing lines

Your Papel PicadoYour Papel Picadocontinued

Hello Papier Hello Papier MâchéMâché

• Means “chewed paper” in French.

• Consists of paper stuck together using a wet paste.

• Although it sounds French, papier mâché actually mâché actually originated in Chinaoriginated in China

The humble origins…ChinaChina used papier mache to make helmets of all things,

which they toughened by many layers of lacquer. Examples have been found dating back to the Han Dynasty (BC 202 – AD 220).

From China, the interest in papier mache spread to JapanJapan and PersiaPersia, where it was used in mask making and festival activities.

The RussiansRussians used papier mache to make their famous dolls.

EuropeEurope (mainly France & England) did not start using papier mache until the 1600’s.

Now, papier mache is used all over the world for all sorts of things….mostly crafts and theater.

Papier Mache is huge in Italy for Carnivale

Some Carnivale images…

Papier Mache Caricatures

Bread & Bread & Puppet Puppet TheatreTheatre

Bread & Puppet Theatre was founded in 1963 by Peter Schumann on New York City’s Lower East Side. More complex theatre pieces, in

which sculpture, music, dance and language were equal. During the Vietnam War, Bread & Puppet staged block-long precessions involving hundreds of people. In 1970 Bread & Puppet moved to Vermont. Bread

& Puppet is one of the oldest, non-profit, self-supporting theatrical companies in this country.

And don’t forget piñatas.

PatternThe repetitive use of

any form, object or color in a work.

Where do you see pattern?

And now your And now your project…project…

How do I start? Step 1: Create a base for by putting 4 layers of papier mache on 1 big balloon & 1 small balloon.

Step 2: Cut a portion off the bottom of your balloon to create a base.

Step 3: Cut out holes for the eyes and cut your small balloon in half.

Step 4: Use masking tape to attach your eye sockets and then papier mache them on.

Step 5: Add dimension to the balloon form.

Step 6: Make sure all areas have at least 4 layers of papier mache

Step 7: Add the paper towel layer.

Step 8: Paint :)

Your Papier Mâché Skull

• Close to life size

• Has interesting dimension

• Is unique & original whether in form or surface treatment or both.