Now in its 16th year, the annual Day of the Dead exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center offers one of the most internationally diverse Día de los Muertos celebrations in the United States. Merging traditional Mexican altars with contemporary art installations, the exhibition presents a visually stimulating and superabundant array of perspectives remembering, honoring, and celebrating the dead. Inspired by cherished relationships, current events, and personal and collective histories, more than 25 altars by over 50 participating Día de los Muertos artists build a dense environment of creativity that makes way for meaningful reflection.
Chosen by father and son curators René & Rio Yañez, this year’s theme, “Today is the Shadow of Tomorrow,” is a call to respond to institutional racism and violence. The exhibition invites artists and visitors to honor those who have unnecessarily lost their lives and to look toward the future we want to make for ourselves. Today is the Shadow of Tomorrowis dedicated to internationally influential Uruguayan journalist, Eduardo Galeano, and beloved poet-activist of San Francisco’s Mission District, Alfonso Texidor.
The exhibition unveiling, Friday, October 9, 6–9pm, $12–15 sliding scale admission, features music and theatre ensemble Loco Bloco, who will present an opening procession that winds through the exhibit. Loco Bloco’s Brazilian Samba and world music will be accompanied by dancers, rituals, and ceremonies. Poet and performance artist Denise Benavidez will host the opening event, performing alongside poet Adrian Arias. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged.
Exhibition highlights include returning artists Victor-Mario Zaballa, who will build a variation on his popular illuminated altar made of traditional papel picado, and Howie Katz and Tania Figueroa, who will work with concepts of modern computer and digital technology to contribute an interactive installation for the fifth consecutive year. Artist Ana Rivero Rossi will design a “narcoguernica,” a reproduction of Picasso’s “Guernica” utilizing Mexican newspapers reporting on “narcotraficantes” (drug traffickers).
Working in direct partnership with families who have lost loved ones to police violence, The Idriss Stelley Foundation will create an altar that honors those who have died in custody at San Francisco County Jail, calling into question widespread practices of willful neglect. Artist Andrea Juarez, working with Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids (CHALK), will use found materials from San Francisco neighborhoods to create an installation addressing the specific ways in which institutional racism impacts youth through the education system, juvenile justice system, the housing crisis, and food justice.
Today is the Shadow of Tomorrow: Día de los Muertos 2015 Exhibition
Friday, October 9–Saturday, November 7, 2015
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Friday 12–7pm, Saturday 11am–5pm and Sunday 11am–3pm
Free admission during gallery hours
Information: somarts.org/shadow
Opening Event
Friday, October 9, 6–9pm
$12–15 sliding scale admission
Tickets: shadowopens.eventbrite.com
Exhibition unveiling features a Día de los Muertos inspired artist market and an opening procession by music and theatre ensemble Loco Bloco. Poet and performance artist Denise Benavidez hosts and performs alongside artist and poet Adrian Arias.
Gathering the Embers
Friday, October 23, 7–9:30pm
$8 in advance & $10 at the door
Tickets: gatheringtheembers.eventbrite.com
Multi-disciplinary performers connect past and present with an evening of story and performance.
Closing Event
Saturday, November 7, 6–9pm
$7–10 sliding scale admission
Tickets: shadowcloses.eventbrite.com
The final opportunity to view and interact with the altars features live music and interactive installations.
Now in its 16th year, the annual Day of the Dead exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center offers one of the most internationally diverse Día de los Muertos celebrations in the United States. Merging traditional Mexican altars with contemporary art installations, the exhibition presents a visually stimulating and superabundant array of perspectives remembering, honoring, and celebrating the dead. Inspired by cherished relationships, current events, and personal and collective histories, more than 25 altars by over 50 participating Día de los Muertos artists build a dense environment of creativity that makes way for meaningful reflection.
Chosen by father and son curators René & Rio Yañez, this year’s theme, “Today is the Shadow of Tomorrow,” is a call to respond to institutional racism and violence. The exhibition invites artists and visitors to honor those who have unnecessarily lost their lives and to look toward the future we want to make for ourselves. Today is the Shadow of Tomorrowis dedicated to internationally influential Uruguayan journalist, Eduardo Galeano, and beloved poet-activist of San Francisco’s Mission District, Alfonso Texidor.
The exhibition unveiling, Friday, October 9, 6–9pm, $12–15 sliding scale admission, features music and theatre ensemble Loco Bloco, who will present an opening procession that winds through the exhibit. Loco Bloco’s Brazilian Samba and world music will be accompanied by dancers, rituals, and ceremonies. Poet and performance artist Denise Benavidez will host the opening event, performing alongside poet Adrian Arias. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged.
Exhibition highlights include returning artists Victor-Mario Zaballa, who will build a variation on his popular illuminated altar made of traditional papel picado, and Howie Katz and Tania Figueroa, who will work with concepts of modern computer and digital technology to contribute an interactive installation for the fifth consecutive year. Artist Ana Rivero Rossi will design a “narcoguernica,” a reproduction of Picasso’s “Guernica” utilizing Mexican newspapers reporting on “narcotraficantes” (drug traffickers).
Working in direct partnership with families who have lost loved ones to police violence, The Idriss Stelley Foundation will create an altar that honors those who have died in custody at San Francisco County Jail, calling into question widespread practices of willful neglect. Artist Andrea Juarez, working with Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids (CHALK), will use found materials from San Francisco neighborhoods to create an installation addressing the specific ways in which institutional racism impacts youth through the education system, juvenile justice system, the housing crisis, and food justice.
Today is the Shadow of Tomorrow: Día de los Muertos 2015 Exhibition
Friday, October 9–Saturday, November 7, 2015
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Friday 12–7pm, Saturday 11am–5pm and Sunday 11am–3pm
Free admission during gallery hours
Information: somarts.org/shadow
Opening Event
Friday, October 9, 6–9pm
$12–15 sliding scale admission
Tickets: shadowopens.eventbrite.com
Exhibition unveiling features a Día de los Muertos inspired artist market and an opening procession by music and theatre ensemble Loco Bloco. Poet and performance artist Denise Benavidez hosts and performs alongside artist and poet Adrian Arias.
Gathering the Embers
Friday, October 23, 7–9:30pm
$8 in advance & $10 at the door
Tickets: gatheringtheembers.eventbrite.com
Multi-disciplinary performers connect past and present with an evening of story and performance.
Closing Event
Saturday, November 7, 6–9pm
$7–10 sliding scale admission
Tickets: shadowcloses.eventbrite.com
The final opportunity to view and interact with the altars features live music and interactive installations.
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