Exhibit takes Day of the Dead back to its Aztec roots

The ASU Museum of Anthropology invites the public to the opening celebration of its 9th annual Día de los Muertos Festival Exhibit from 5-7 p.m., Oct. 30, in the lobby of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change building on the Tempe campus. The event, which is free of charge, will feature food, music by Lxuk and a special blessing by Tonatierra. 

For the past nine years, the ASU Museum of Anthropology has played host to a vibrant community-centered Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival Exhibit. Traditionally, the museum has featured a gallery filled with individual altars. This year, the gallery will be transformed into one altar through individual works of art. Each piece of art in the exhibit will represent one of the many offerings that compose a traditional altar. Emphasis will be placed on the four elements (earth, wind, water and fire) found on traditional altars that tie this celebration to its Aztecan roots. 

Ancient Ofrenda will bring together artists from the Chicano/a, university and Valley communities in the creation of an innovative communal space, emphasizing the elements of a traditional altar. Though their subjects are ancient, artists will work in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, incorporating personal and symbolic imagery into their work. Visitors are encouraged to bring offerings for the dead, which will become part of the altar.  

The exhibit will run from October 27, 2008, to January 23, 2009. Admission is free. 

The 9th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival Exhibit is a joint collaboration between the ASU Museum of Anthropology, CALACA Latino Cultural Arts Collective and the community. 

For more details, call the museum at (480) 965-6224 or visit: http://asuma.asu.edu.