dia de los muertos 2021-2025
illustration • visual design
narrative
From 2021 to 2025, I have participated in visualizing the uniquely organized Dia de Los Muertos event held in Durham by both Black and Mexican organizations. Two altar spaces are constructed: One African, one traditional Mexican. The visual identities aim to share the many cultures surrounding grief, death, and transition at Fall time of year.
Research centered on the diverse religious practices in Black culture, with an emphasis on diasporic practices: voudou in New Orleans, hoodoo in the South, Camdomble in Brazil, etc. This was visually experimented with the indigenous and syncretic Catholic traditions of Mexico and Spanish Latin America. As my father has practiced danza azteca for over 10 years, I interviewed him. Overlaps were understood in the structure of dance, altar design, and fabrics. Differences were understood in color schemes, particular death and ghost imagery.
research
visuals
The events took place on the weekend of Dia de Los Muertos, and two veneration spaces were designed and organized. The Latin American altar stood close with the Catholic practices of Dia de Los Muertos. Altars were built on tiers, honoring family and community members. Danza Azteca were presented throughout the evening. The African-oriented space was a spiral formation focused on Maafa, oa term of the African Holocaust of the trans-atlanic slave trade. This was a constructed visual space and open invitation where elders across both communities came to dialogue and share cultural practice.