Daily photographs by HANS VON RITTERN, with humorous, artistic and social commentary on life in the big city.

Posts tagged “Day of the dead

Photo of the day: IS ELVIS DEAD?

ELVIS DEAD

Photo of the day: IS ELVIS DEAD? – This being the weekend of Dia de los Muertos, I found it rather eerie to find this ageing ‘Elvis’ on the subway who got off at (of all places) Madison Square Garden. Does the king want to make one comeback tour like Cher? Does he want to recreate his 1972 Garden concert? Why does he look so perturbed – did he find out how much music acts are earning today? Does he even know who Madonna and Miley are? Before I got a chance to ask, Elvis had left the subway . . .

Photo of the day: DEAD MARILYN ~ DAY OF THE DEAD

DEAD MARILYN

Photo of the day: DEAD MARILYN ~ DAY OF THE DEAD – Day of the Dead / Dia de Meurtos is a fascinating holiday celebrated in Mexico October 31 and November 1 & 2. Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day (Halloween), Mexicans have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones. They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. I think this is wonderful. Elaborate altars are prepared with food and drink, skulls made of sugar, marigolds and lots of flowers, cigarettes for the departed and incredible folk art replicating and honoring their dear departed.
So on my annual trip to Tijuana, Mexico this August it was close enough for the approaching holiday that the Day of the Dead folk art abounded. Eagerly I shopped the markets – I saw dead Frida Kahlo of course, dead Elvis and my two treasures – dead Marilyn. Upon seeing them, my first reaction was with excitement. Second reaction with revulsion. Third reaction “I have to have them!” (Fourth reaction ‘Which do I choose?’) So here are my two hand made folk art Dead Marilyns (I’ve gotten used to them in my living room). Feliz Dia de los Muertos! .
This explains it colorfully and best:  http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html
PS – There was a short lived punk rock group called ‘Dead Marilyn’, I have the picture sleeve 45 tucked away somewhere.