Day of the Dead Group c. mid 20th century

Curator: This vibrant ceramic piece, entitled "Day of the Dead Group," is believed to have been crafted around the mid-20th century. You can currently find it on display here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: It's captivating. The use of mixed media gives the whole sculpture an arresting and almost theatrical presence, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. Let's consider the material production itself. It is an anonymous folk artwork so we can look closely at the anonymous creator's labor within the Mexican folk art tradition—probably made in multiples as part of celebrations related to Día de los Muertos? Editor: I would venture that is absolutely spot on, considering the imagery. The procession seems to embody both the humor and the profound reverence Mexicans hold for death, but what role would a work like this have held outside the festival season? Curator: Likely kept on display in the home, or sold to tourists perhaps, therefore changing how these material objects were circulated. Look at the layering of paint to bring out its charm, for instance, that can also highlight its cultural importance. The social impact of Mexican muralism seems particularly prominent here. Editor: Indeed. The overt references to mortality, conveyed through the skeletal figure juxtaposed with animal forms, suggest a wider social commentary around life and death. What strikes me is how effectively such a seemingly simple construction can hold complex layers of cultural significance. The choice of materials contributes significantly to this, the fact that we understand ceramic to be something durable and everlasting, perhaps influencing its symbolism? Curator: Possibly, as the labor in its production connects directly to the tradition being depicted here, underscoring how these pieces might have operated as material reminders of a broader socio-political landscape concerning the Day of the Dead, but it also points to the evolution and commodification of that landscape through tourism. Editor: Right, thank you. I will certainly keep my eye out for new pieces like these with this added context.