DAY OF THE DEAD

group show

opening reception
Saturday October 28, 2006
from 7 – 9pm

featuring works by
MR. CARTOON / DANIEL GONZALEZ / ESTEVAN ORIOL / ANTONIO "BULLA" PELAYO / RETNA / MELISSA TROCHEZ / THE STREET PHANTOM / JAIME "GERMS" ZACARIAS

location
MENDENHALL SOBIESKI GALLERY
40 Mills Place
Pasadena, CA 91105
626.535.9757

www.mendenhallsobieskigallery.com

Every year, the Day of the Dead becomes more popular and influential, especially in the Los Angeles area. Unlike Halloween, the Day of the Dead does not avoid the subject of death through disguises and costumes, but it confronts it through direct interaction and thought-provoking laughter. Resurrecting positive memories of the deceased, The Day of the Dead (El Dia De Los Muertos) is a festive celebration rather than a mourning ceremony. This holiday, inspired by several distinct ancient Aztec cultures, was originally intended to commemorate and not antagonize the individual. As the holiday clashed with Christian and other Indigenous cultures it picked up new forms of expressions while losing some along the way.

The Day of the Dead is also an acknowledgement that death and birth are ultimately the same. Mendenhall Sobieski Gallery, brings together a diverse mix of young Latin artists that are producing contemporary work that deal with the subject matter in both a traditional and non-traditional manner. This "Day of the Dead" exhibition includes a range of multimedia talents. From artists where no introduction is necessary within the L.A. scene: Antonio Pelayo, hyper realist, Mister Cartoon, famed tattooist, Daniel Gonzalez, woodcut print master, Estevan Oriol, photographer, producer/director, Germs, painter, Joel Garcia, muertos maker, Melissa "Melly" Trochez, painter/muralist, The Street Phantom, Silhouette graff artist, and RETNA, graffiti artist/muralist/painter/designer.