DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of loved ones who have passed on. It’s a celebration of the life the lived and is a joyous occasion marked by bright colors, bold patterns, stylized skeletons, and more! Art plays a large role in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. There are paintings, drawings, sculptures, paper banners, masks, and so much more!

THE “CATRINA”

CREATED BY ARTIST JOSÉ GUADALUPE POSADA IN Posada was a famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator and lithographer that created the zinc etching he called “Catrina”. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper class outfit of a European of her time. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who, Posada felt, were aspiring to adopt European aristocratic traditions in the pre-revolutionary era.

CALAVERAS

A REPRESENTATION OF HUMAN SKULL MADE FROM EITHER SUGAR OR CLAY Sugar skulls- These candies are made from These candies are made from sugar cane, and adorned with lines of vegetable dye(green, blue, yellow or red colors. Clay/ Metal/ Paper Skulls- Usually these toys are painted in a silver paint color, although it is also commonly found in colors like white, black and red. Beaded eyes of different colors are also commonly added.

COLORS AND SYMBOLS

BLACK The color of black represents death in Day of the Dead tradition. Black symbolizes the land of the dead and the pre-Hispanic religions of the people. Black is not used as much as the other Day of the Dead colors and is often seen as a background color in Day of the Dead artwork.

PURPLE Purple is a very important Day of the Dead color. Purple candles are lit at the altars in people's homes. The color purple in the celebration refers back to the Catholic calendar. It signifies pain, suffering, grief and mourning. The families of the dead use purple to acknowledge their loss of loved ones.

PINK Pink is symbolic of celebration in the Day of the Dead celebration when people are paying joyous tribute to the lives of the deceased. They celebrate the return of the dead and their reunion with family members. Often Day of the Dead skeletons, or calaveras, are painted with the color and wear pink dresses and suits.

WHITE Day of the Dead revelers use white to signify purity and renewal, as if the souls of the dead have been wiped clean. White also represents hope and is present in flowers at the altar, along with the traditional paper decorations.

ORANGE AND YELLOW Marigolds are widely used to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The petals of marigolds are sprinkled on the ground leading up to the altar, so the dead use can use them as a guide. Marigolds come in orange and yellow, making these colors very important. Orange also represents the sun and yellow symbolizes the light and also death.

RED Red signifies blood or the blood of life. For Christians red is for the spilled blood of Jesus Christ. For the non-Christian Day of the Dead celebrants, red often stands for the blood of people or animals.

WHAT WILL WE BE CREATING??

PAPER MACHE CALAVERA MASKS Students will be using face molds to create masks. First we will cut paper and dip it into a glue solution. Then we will lay the wet paper over the mold. Once the paper layer dries we will repeat the process to get a thicker mask that will not break as easily. After they are dry, we will remove them from the molds and paint the masks to look like Calaveras.

PAPER MACHE “SUGAR” SKULLS (3D) Students will use the Resin skulls as a base to mold their 3D skulls from. First, students will cut strips of paper and wet in a glue solution. Then they will wrap the paper around the skull until it covered with one layer. Once that layer is done, they will continue the process until they have a thick, sturdy layer of paper. After the paper has dried out, we will cut it off of the mold and glue it back together to create a 3D skull. Then the student will paint each skull bright white and decorate with puffy paint to resemble the icing on a sugar skull.

PAPEL PICADO (TISSUE PAPER PICTURES) Students will be creating Cut Paper Pictures from colored tissue paper and scissors. First students will create a design for their papel picado. Then students will draw their design onto the tissue paper. Then students will cut the design out with scissors. Students who have a repetitive pattern will need to fold their tissue paper (accordion style) before cutting.

CLAY AND PAPER BEADS Paper Beads Clay Beads

PAPER FLOWERS- BIG AND SMALL Students will fold cardstock, tissue paper, and construction paper into flowers using scissors and glue.

TIN PAINTINGS Students will create pictures on tin foil using a wooden stick, markers, and a paint brush. First students will wrap the edges of the foil with gold duct tape, to make a safety frame. Next they will draw their design onto the foil with the wooden stick. Students may choose to go over these lines in sharpie, if they would like. They will then go over the drawing with a marker, and then will use a paint brush to move the ink around the metal. Multiple layers of ink may be needed