Often referred to as the Grande Dame of Death, La Calavera Catrina (the “elegant skull”)—or, simply, La Catrina—is frequently seen throughout the streets of Mexico during the Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, celebrations. You’ve likely seen the face before: an eerie meld of macabre and charm; fear and poise. But from where did this deathly figure emerge? What does she stand for? And why has she become such a ubiquitous part of Mexican culture?
To celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos), Mattel is releasing a second special-edition Barbie doll. With her traditional calavera (English: skull) face-paint, floral-updo, and skull-and-flowers-patterned lace gown, this gorgeous doll encapsulates the celebrations of this time.
In addition to its devastating health effects, COVID-19 has resulted in an increase in domestic violence cases. It is a horrendous story that is, sadly, only part of an ever-growing realization—a “shadow pandemic,” as the United Nations has claimed. A veritable scourge against women around the world. Along with the help of some friends (new and old) from Mexico and the U.S., one woman has channeled her frustration regarding this alarming trend into a unique therapeutic artform. The results have resonated far and wide.
Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a multi-day celebration of all five senses. Contrary to the somber tone that its name implies, the holiday is treasured in Mexican culture as an opportunity to honor the dead while celebrating the joy of life.
It is no secret that the political climate between Mexico and the United States is a bit tense. With President Donald Trump’s longstanding plan to build a new border wall at the forefront of conversations in both nations, artist Enrique Chiu decided to stop talking about brotherhood and start painting it.
In most Western cultures, death is considered a sad occasion and discussions on the topic are often avoided. However, Mexicans have a different view. Once a year, from October 31 to November 2, people throughout Mexico honor the memory of family members and friends who have died, during the “Day of the Dead” (Dia de Los Muertos) celebration.
The otherworldly creatures of “Los Panzudos Mercedarios” become part of everyday life in Diego Moreno’s surreal series “In My Mind There is Never Silence.” Moreno’s captivating project will be released as a photo book in 2019.
Frida Kahlo was a gifted Mexican artist who would articulate her life experiences into some of the most luminous and haunting images of the twentieth century. Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón was born on July 6, 1907, in La Casa Azul, a traditional Mexican wrap-around home – painted a deep blue with red rim – at the corner of Londres and Ignacio Allende Streets in Coyoacán, Mexico City.
The bustling Mexican capital with the long and layered history and nearly 22 million people is one of the most populated cities in North America and one of the world’s largest metropolises. Here is everything you need to do during a 48-hour visit in Mexico City.
Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) is a fascinating underwater museum of art in Mexico featuring over 500 permanent life-sized sculptures. The artworks, covered in thick algae, are hosted in three different galleries that are submerged between three and eight meters below the ocean’s surface in the warm crystal clear waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc.
